Assessment of Knowledge and Service Utilization for Common Sexually Transmitted Infections among adults in Shakiso District, Guji Zone, Oromia Regional State.
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Date
2013-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Back ground:Sexually Transmitted infections (STIs) are among the most common causes of illnesses in the world and their public health importance is high in developing countries. They are the commonest causes of healthy life years lost among women of 15-49 years in Africa. In Ethiopia,there is little information regarding the incidence and prevalence of STIs.
According to Federal HIV/AIDS prevention and control office report of 2006, adult prevalence of syphilis 2.7% was only known. Similarly, study on the level of knowledge and STI service utilization pattern involving the whole reporductive age group in the community at large is minimal.
Objective : This study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge and service utilization for common STIs among 15-49 years of adult women and men in Shakiso District.
Methods:A cross sectional community based descriptive study was conducted using interviewer administered questionnaire in Shakiso District on a sample of 845 adult women and men selected for study through multistage sampling technique. In this study the quantitative part was sumplemented with a qualitative study.
With regard to measurement of knowledge level on STIs, scoring system of each knowledge question was considered. The STI magnitude was estimated from self reported STIs symptoms. A pre tested questionnaire was filled by trained data collectors and checked on daily basis for completeness and consistency. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 soft ware and descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis were made.
Here logestic regression model was used to determine independent predictor of outcome variables.
Result: A total of 845 participants [385(45.6%) males and,460(54.4%) females] were included in the study with a mean age of 27.7(SD=8.2). Of 784 (92.7%) who heard of common STIs, only 20.8% (63.8% of males,36.2% of females) of them had good comprehensive knowledge (COR=2.24;95%CI,1.57-3.2). In a multivariate analysis having good comprehensive knowledge was associated with formal education at all level (P-value ≤ 0.002 ). Self reported magnitude of STIs symptoms ranged from 4.6-6.9%. Having history of premarital sexual intercourse was statistically significant with occurrence of self reported STIs syndromes according to multivariate logestic regressions (Adjusted OR 2.5;95%CI=1.46-4.3).
Most respondents (96.7%) have got treatment for STIs. Qualitative and quantitative findings revealed that, fear of quarreling with partners, failure to get cure easily,stigma and affordability (lack of money) related issues were factors or barriers for STIs service utilization.
Conclusion: Low level of comprehensive knowledge on STIs and increament of STIs magnitude in comparison to other studies in the country were identified in the study.
Recommendation: IEC and BCC strategies should be considered as top priority to create awareness among communities inorder to prevent and control STIs transmission.
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Keywords
Sexually Transmitted Infections ,Adults