Knowledge towards Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Undergraduates of KAATSU International University, Sri Lanka: Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a significant public health concern leading to morbidity and mortality globally. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected STD surveillance and prevention efforts. In Sri Lanka, the Colombo district is at high risk for all tested STDs. Unprotected sex is a growing trend and awareness must be increased. In order to institute appropriate preventive measures, it is necessary to establish a profile of knowledge of the predisposing factors and causation of STDs among susceptible young people. The study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding STDs among undergraduates of both faculties of health and non -health science at KIU, Colombo, Sri Lanka. A descriptive crosssectional study was conducted enrolling 390 participants among the population (N= 3080) (obtained from n=N/ (1+N) e2 ) using an online structured self - administered questionnaire. The ethical approval was obtained from the ethics review committee, KIU (KIU/ERC/2021/202). Data analysis was done using SPSS V 25. The majority (265/390, 68%) were females. The mean knowledge level was 98 (SD= 19.56) and overall knowledge level was moderate. Nearly 77% of the female participants (n=103/265) had a good level of knowledge while the majority of males showed a moderate level (57/125, 45.6%). Nearly 74% of the participants were from the Faculty of Health Sciences. A statistically significant association was observed between knowledge level and the faculties (p=0.014) also with other sociodemographic factors such as: gender, A/L stream, current academic year (p=0.001), religion (p=0.008), age (p=0.012), marital status (p=0.028), residence (p=0.028), type of school attended (p=0.005).