Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a serious health care problem, with an estimated annual incidence of 357 million cases by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is important to recognize that young adults are responsible for more than half of all STI cases. Objective: The aim of this review was to determine the general knowledge of university students about STI. Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify knowledge studies of undergraduate students about STI. The electronic database MEDLINE was searched for articles published in the past 5 years, using the following MeSH terms: “Sexually Transmitted Diseases,” “Knowledge,” “University,” and “Students.” Studies’ titles and abstracts were screened for eligibility and relevant articles were read in full and included in the review. Results: A total of nine articles were selected for the final analysis. When compared to other courses, health students had higher rates of knowledge and showed more correct answers to the questions about STI than students from other courses. For some students, the consciousness acquired at the university acted as a protection factor to avoid risky sexual behavior. In contrast, in one study, only 13% of the students declared feeling they had enough knowledge to avoid getting infected. The source of knowledge may vary. Concerning a Chinese study, students declared their knowledge about STI was obtained mainly at school. HIV was the best known STI, although 90% of the participants in one study were unaware that an infected person might not have any symptoms. Comparisons between sex and age evidenced knowledge variation in some studies. Conclusion: The average of knowledge level about STI among university students varies between 30% and 60% in the analyzed studies. HIV/AIDS was the best known STI and this result shows the need for emphasizing other STI information among university students.
Doença diverticular no estado de Goiás: casos de internação, gastos e óbitos relacionados Diverticular disease in the state of Goiás: cases of hospitalization, expenses and related deaths
Introduction: Although dating applications (apps) have become increasingly popular, there is a scarcity of information regarding the sexual behavior implications among young adults. Objective: This study aims to investigate the association between the use of dating apps and sexually transmitted infections (STI) among college students. Methods: A literature review was conducted to examine the influence of dating apps usage by college students on risky sexual behavior. The search for suitable studies was carried out on March 2021 with the research database PubMed using the following keywords: sexually transmitted infections, dating applications, sexual behavior, and college students. Studies published during the past 5 years were included. Results: Five articles met the inclusion criteria. The use of dating apps was associated with more sexual partners and the frequency of having multiple sexual partners was higher for men. Besides, men who used dating apps had a lower protective attitude than those who did not use dating apps. In contrast, female dating app users had a higher protective attitude. Most women requested the use of a condom. Moreover, there is an association between being a user of dating apps and having unprotected sexual intercourse with more lifetime sexual partners and having a casual sex partner without using a condom in their sexual intercourse experience. They were less likely to have condom use consistently and more likely not to have used condoms the last time they had sexual intercourse. Not having a condom or trust/repeated encounters and not realizing the necessity of using condoms in sexual intercourse were some of the reasons for unsafe sex. Conclusion: The use of dating apps seems to be associated with a high number of sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse, which can be associated with higher susceptibility to STI. University education about risky behaviors and STI is imperative.
Introduction: Young people often present risky sexual behavior and are more exposed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the sexual behavior and HBV serological profile in the young population attended at a Counseling and Testing Centre (CTC) in the southwest of Goiás. Methods: Quantitative cross-sectional study with descriptive and retrospective analysis conducted at the CTC of Rio Verde. Data from young adults (18-29 years) attended in 2018 were examined to determine the seroprevalence and sexual behavior of HBV. Results: The sample consisted of 1,455 individuals, with 1,423 nonreactive for HBV (HBsAg and total anti-HBc negative), 2 with serological scar (total anti-HBc and anti-HBs positive), and 8 reagents (HBsAg and total anti-HBc positive). Of these, 63% (5) were males and 38% (3) females, with an average age of 24.6 years, 75% (6) were single, and a mean education of 4.25 years. The average number of sexual partnerships in the past 12 months was 2.71. Notably, 25% (2) had previous sexually transmitted infection (STI) and 75% (6) reported drug use, with alcohol being the most frequent. Regarding the use of condoms with fixed partnership, 57% (4) men did not use them. As reason for not wearing a condom, 71% (5) of them claimed trust in the sexual partnership. With casual partners, 14% (1) did not use condoms, 14% (1) justified their nonuse by trust, and 14% (1) were under the effect of drugs/alcohol. Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV in young adults who attended the CTC in 2018 was 0.55% with HBsAg and total anti-HBc positive and 0.14% with total anti-HBc and anti-HBs positive. Among those infected, most were single men, brown, with low education, and reported alcohol consumption and inconsistent use of condoms in sexual intercourse for both fixed and casual partnerships. These data reinforce the need for STI preventive strategies in this population.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.