KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE ON PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG NIGHT SCHOOL STUDENTS IN BAHIR DAR, NORTH WEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Sexually transmitted infections are infections caused by multiple organisms with a significant probability of transmission by means of sexual contact through vaginal, oral and anal sex. Approximately one million people contract sexually transmitted infections every day and 50% of them are adolescents aged 15-24 years. Abstinence, being faithful to one sexual partner and correct and consistent use of condoms constitutes the ‘ABC’ approaches for Sexually transmitted disease prevention. Objective: The study aimed to assess knowledge, practice and associated factors on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections among night school students in Bahir dar, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted in February 2014 among 422 randomly selected students. Data was collected using pretested selfadministered questionnaire. Epi info version 3.5.3 used to enter and editing purposes and SPSS version16 was used to analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to describe study objectives and identify associated factors, respectively. Strength of association was described using odds ratio at 95% CI. Results: A total of 420 respondents were participated in the study with the response rate of 99.5%. About 24.8% and 12.4% of the respondents has good knowledge and practice on STIs prevention, respectively. Variables such as age; OR=1.83, 95%CI [1.05-3.18], educational status; OR=2.81, 95%CI [1.57-5.04], information on STIs from health workers; OR=3.74, CI [2.24-6.25] and insist to use condom OR=2.33, 95%CI [1.40-3.90] were positively associated with knowledge. Age; OR=2.92, 95%CI [1.25- 6.78], sex; OR=2.94, 95%CI [1.5-50.80] and open discussion with partners OR=2.95, 95%CI [1.32-6.60] were significantly associated with practice of STIs prevention. Conclusion and recommendations: Majority of the study participants had poor knowledge and practice. Age, educational status, individual income, information from health workers and insist to use condom were important factors to have knowledge on STIs. Improving health education, school clubs and discussion with partner are important interventions to improve the knowledge and practice of STIs prevention in the study area.