Assessment of knowledge regarding sexually transmitted diseases among college students

Background: Sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) are passed from one person to another through intimate physical contact. STDs are a common public health problem in developing countries, contributing a huge economic burden among individuals and health systems. If STDs are not treated adequately, it can lead to various complications. Methods: Questionnaires based study was performed for three months at RIPER, Anantapuramu to assess knowledge regarding sexually transmitted diseases among 304 college students. The validation of questionnaire had been done by considering the opinions from experts regarding the reliability, simplicity & understanding of the questionnaire. Then validated questionnaire was distributed to students & asked them to return the filled forms with in one day. After receiving the filled forms the returns were calculated. Results: 100% of the students know about STDs , 92% of the students stated that STDs are communicable diseases, 98% of the students known that STDs are preventable, 100% of the students think that intercourse with multiple partners increases the risk of getting STDs,99% of the students know that STDs can be congenital. 37.5% think that these three STDs are commonly affect the teenagers (Chlamydia, Human papilloma virus, syphilis). About 40% of the students considered HIV as a co-infection, 29% Hepatitis B&C, 21% Gonorrhoea and 1.3% genital herpes. Conclusion: The study concludes the students’ knowledge has to be improved in multi aspects of STDs so that they can prevent and control the incidence of STDs in future.