Knowledge and awareness of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) among housewives in a city in Northern India
Keywords:
Awareness, STDs, Knowledge, ComplicationsAbstract
Introduction: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect women of child bearing age leading to severe morbidity, mortality and can even transmit disease to offsprings during pregnancy. Improving awareness and knowledge amongst females regarding STDs is important to prevent the grave consequences. This study was done to assess the knowledge and awareness of STDs among housewives in a city in Northern India.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among housewives in Rohtak city, Haryana. A pre-validated questionnaire addressing socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of the features and complications of common STDs, routes of transmission of STDs, preventive and treatment measures was used as a tool for the study.
Results: Only 80% of women had heard about STDs. Regarding routes of transmission, spread via vaginal intercourse, blood transfusion and transmission from mother to child were known to 95%, 5% and 5% of women respectively. 20% of women had no knowledge regarding symptoms of STD. Regarding complications; miscarriage, pelvic inflammatory disease and cancer were known to 80%, 10% and 8% of women respectively. STDs can be prevented by abstinence and using condoms was known to 60% and 40% women respectively. 98% of the women had no knowledge regarding the drugs used for treatment of STDs.
Summary: Complete knowledge regarding STDs was inadequate. There is a potential to control STDs by making females aware of the signs and symptoms, complications, preventive and control measures. So, there is a need to adopt an assertive, promotional and educative approach to make more and more women aware of STDs.
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