Awareness, knowledge and behavior of high school students concerning sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

Introduction. This paper presents the results of a research conducted among senior high school students in northern Kosovo and Metohija on their knowledge about sexually transmitted infections, emphasizing their awareness and sources of information, as well as their sexual behavior and use of contraceptives. Material and Methods. The survey of senior high school students was done using a previously prepared anonymous questionnaire which was followed by statistical processing of fully completed questionnaires. Results. The research included students aged 17 to 19; 63% were females and 37% males; 35.8% were sexually active. The correct definition of sexually transmitted infections was identified by 49%. School was the source of information on these infections for 45.6% of students and biology class for 45.7%. There were 40.6% sexually active male respondents and 33.0% of female (on average, 18 years old). Of the surveyed students of both sexes, 40.6% became sexually active at the age of 17. Condom use was reported by 49% of respondents of both sexes, whereas 50.8% of sexually active students always used condoms. There were 38.7% (38.9% girls, 38.4% boys) of students who used condoms for protection against sexually transmitted infections, and 58.1% of them personally decided whether to use them. Conclusion. The majority of our respondents were able to identify the correct definition of sexually transmitted infections, and they most often heard of the human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome. School was their most common source of information, biology class, and a considerable number were informed about this issue on the Internet. The majority of sexually active girls did not use any contraceptives. School curricula and parent-child relationships should have a greater impact on the youth's awareness of reproductive health.

Uvod. Rad prikazuje rezultate anketiranja učenika završnih razreda srednjih škola na severnom Kosovu i Metohiji o polno prenosivim infekcijama, njihovoj obaveštenosti i izvorima informisanja, njihovoj seksualnoj aktivnosti i korišćenju kontraceptivnih sredstava. Materijal i metode. Anketiranje učenika završnih razreda srednjih škola na severu Kosova i Metohije prethodno pripremljenim anonimnim upitnikom. Statistički su obrađeni kompletno popunjeni upitnici. Rezultati. Istraživanjem su obuhvaćeni učenici od 17 do 19 godina, 63% ženskog i 37% muškog pola; 35,8% ispitanika je seksualno aktivno. Tačnu definiciju polno prenosivih infekcija prepoznalo je 49% anketiranih učenika. Škola je izvor informisanosti o polno prenosivim infekcijama za 45,6% učenika, a za 45,7% anketiranih časovi biologije u školi. Seksualno je aktivno 40,6% učenika i 33% učenica; oni imaju prosečno 18 godina. Polno aktivno pre sedamnaeste godine postalo je 40,6% anketiranih učenika. Većina seksualno aktivnih ispitanika, 49%, oba pola koristi kondom kao kontraceptivno sredstvo. Uvek koristi kondom 50,8% polno aktivnih učenika. Seksualno aktivni ispitanici koriste kondom zbog zaštite od polno prenosivih infekcija ̶ 38,7% (38,9% učenica i 38,4% učenika), a 58,1% lično odlučuje o njihovoj primeni. Zaključak. Većina naših ispitanika je prepoznala tačnu definiciju polno prenosivih infekcija, a najčešće su čuli za infekciju virusom humane imunodeficijencije/sindrom stečene imunodeficijencije. Ispitanici su najčešće bili obavešteni u školi, na časovima biologije, a znatan broj je informisan o ovom problemu putem interneta. Školski sadržaji i razgovor sa roditeljima bi trebalo značajnije da utiču na svest mladih o reproduktivnom zdravlju.