Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Women of Reproductive Age in an Urban Community Health Centre in Indonesia

Abstract

Introduction Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), an emerging public health burden, are increasing due to a lack of understanding about their prevention. Objective To understand the association between STI-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among women of reproductive age in an urban community health centre in Jakarta, Indonesia. Material and Methods A cross-sectional study and consecutive sampling technique were employed on 50 women using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. All data were analysed using Spearman’s rank correlation, χ2, or Fisher’s exact test to test the hypothesis. Results Encountered women had an average age of 26.80 ± 4.64 years, were married (74%), primiparous (46%), and with a high level of education (88%). The median scores for attitude and knowledge were 76.90 and 79.20, respectively, and there was a moderate correlation between these scores (ρ=0.482, p<0.001). 84% of individuals had good knowledge, and 88% of respondents had a positive attitude. Overall, practice insight was moderate, with the rate of abstinence, using condoms, suggesting condoms, and stigmatising persons with HIV/AIDS being 54%, 32%, 2%, and 36%, respectively. Education level was a significant predictor of knowledge, and women’s attitudes toward STIs were associated with their knowledge (OR 7.80, p=0.044). There was no relationship between socio-demographic profiles and the KAP of STIs. Knowledge and attitude did not contribute significantly towards abstinence, using condoms, suggesting condoms, and HIV/AIDS-related stigmatisation due to the complexity of practice actualisation related to theories of planned behaviour. Conclusion STI-related knowledge and attitude correlate well, but this study found that neither predicts STI-related practice.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Lebanese university students related to sexually transmitted diseases: a cross-sectional study

“…Overall, a higher level of knowledge leads to a healthier attitude toward sexual health, which, in turn, is associated with safer practices; often, improved knowledge and attitude lead to improved practice ( 13 ). A link has been established between attitudes and knowledge about STDs ( 13 , 16 , 17 ), and having good baseline knowledge increases the likelihood of having a positive attitude.…”

“…Overall, a higher level of knowledge leads to a healthier attitude toward sexual health, which, in turn, is associated with safer practices; often, improved knowledge and attitude lead to improved practice ( 13 ). A link has been established between attitudes and knowledge about STDs ( 13 , 16 , 17 ), and having good baseline knowledge increases the likelihood of having a positive attitude. However, this study did not find a significant relationship between knowledge and attitudes toward behaviors/practices such as abstinence, using and giving recommendations about condoms, and stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS.…”

“…For instance, as their knowledge about STIs increased, unmarried youths in Nigeria showed better attitudes toward prevention measures such as using condoms and being vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus ( 12 ). Moreover, good knowledge predicted 7.8 times higher odds of having favorable attitudes ( 13 ). According to the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), knowledge is a critical modifier of positive attitudes ( 14 ) since people with extensive knowledge tend to have positive attitudes toward behaviors such as screening for STIs, seeking medical help, and avoiding pornography ( 15 ).…”