Awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among school-going adolescents in Europe: a systematic review of published literature

Abstract

BackgroundSexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a major health problem affecting mostly young people, not only in developing, but also in developed countries.We conducted this systematic review to determine awareness and knowledge of school-going male and female adolescents in Europe of STDs and if possible, how they perceive their own risk of contracting an STD. Results of this review can help point out areas where STD risk communication for adolescents needs to be improved.MethodsUsing various combinations of the terms "STD", "HIV", "HPV", "Chlamydia", "Syphilis", "Gonorrhoea", "herpes", "hepatitis B", "knowledge", "awareness", and "adolescents", we searched for literature published in the PubMed database from 01.01.1990 up to 31.12.2010. Studies were selected if they reported on the awareness and/or knowledge of one or more STD among school-attending adolescents in a European country and were published in English or German. Reference lists of selected publications were screened for further publications of interest. Information from included studies was systematically extracted and evaluated.ResultsA total of 15 studies were included in the review. All were cross-sectional surveys conducted among school-attending adolescents aged 13 to 20 years. Generally, awareness and knowledge varied among the adolescents depending on gender.Six STDs were focussed on in the studies included in the review, with awareness and knowledge being assessed in depth mainly for HIV/AIDS and HPV, and to some extent for chlamydia. For syphilis, gonorrhoea and herpes only awareness was assessed. Awareness was generally high for HIV/AIDS (above 90%) and low for HPV (range 5.4%-66%). Despite knowing that use of condoms helps protect against contracting an STD, some adolescents still regard condoms primarily as an interim method of contraception before using the pill.ConclusionIn general, the studies reported low levels of awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases, with the exception of HIV/AIDS. Although, as shown by some of the findings on condom use, knowledge does not always translate into behaviour change, adolescents' sex education is important for STD prevention, and the school setting plays an important role. Beyond HIV/AIDS, attention should be paid to infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

Sexual behaviors and awareness of sexually transmitted infections among Chinese university students

“…However, the majority of students did not know the early symptoms, which could delay their seeking proper treatment. The level of knowledge among the students in this study is much lower than the levels reported from European adolescents in 1988 [20] (13% vs. 56%, correct answers for the same questions). The majority of students in this study exhibited appropriate health-seeking behavior, whereas a small percentage of infected students who would keep silent could be putting themselves and their partners at risk by delaying or refusing proper treatment.…”

“…It has been reported that adolescents in Europe have low levels of knowledge and awareness of STIs, with the exception of HIV/AIDS [20]. Likewise in this study, there exist considerable deficiencies in students' knowledge about STI symptoms, complications, transmissions, and preventive methods.…”

Awareness of HPV infection and attitudes toward HPV vaccination among Latvian adolescents

“…A paper-based survey was administered to students (grades 10-12 [aged [16][17][18][19][20][21] years]) during sexual-health teaching sessions. Students attending these classes were selected for the present analysis because they were felt to be of the most culturally and ethically acceptable age to administer a survey related to sexual-health behaviors and STIs.…”

Correlates of Knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) among Youths in Nepal

“…Knowledge is the first step of protecting people from the diseases and an adequate and proper knowledge about STDs may be an appropriate preventive measure. Several studies at the global level show that age, sex, ethnicity, place of residence and parental education are significantly related to the knowledge of STDs among youths (Stone, Ingham & Simkhada, 2003, MOPH;New ERA and IFC International, 2012;Upreti, Regmi, Pant & Simkhada, 2009;Samkange-Zeeb, Spallek & Zeeb, 2011). Although a large number of cross sectional KAP studies on STDs including HIV/AIDS has been conducted in the context of Nepal by taking sample for the specific areas, none of the studies are based on the nationally representative sample.…”