Prevalence of self-reported symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, knowledge and sexual behaviour among youth in semi-rural Tanzania in the period of adolescent friendly health services strategy implementation

Abstract

BackgroundGlobal evidence shows that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevalence and sexual risk behaviours are high among youth, and knowledge about STIs is low. In Tanzania, there is limited recent evidence regarding these issues. The aim of this study was to describe the health seeking behaviour of youth reporting STI symptoms in semi-rural Tanzania and to evaluate the association of socio-demographic characteristics, STI knowledge and sexual risk behaviour with STI symptom reporting.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study involving 2251 sexually experienced youth (15–24 years), who participated in a larger baseline survey of a cohort within Ifakara town. Interview data were electronically collected by trained field workers. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that influence the risk of reporting STI symptoms within the past year, using Stata 12.1.ResultsThe prevalence of self-reported STI symptoms in the past year was 19.9%. Almost all of youth had heard of STIs and 32.7% of youth could mention at least one sign. 34.4% had sought care for their STI symptoms, the majority at private facilities. Only 20% of HIV-STI co-infected youth was aware of their HIV status.Youth with more knowledge of STI symptoms reported to have had symptoms more often (OR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.01–1.62), and those reporting having first sex at 16 or under were more likely to report STI symptoms than those who delayed to 17–19 years (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.003–1.62).ConclusionThese findings highlight the need to improve the implementation of Adolescent Friendly Health Services available in Tanzania (especially in semi-rural areas). The inclusion of private facilities and pharmacies in AFHS scale-up would potentially raise the level of STI knowledge, lower the STI prevalence and reduce HIV incidence among youth.

HIV Testing among General Population with Sexually Transmitted Infection: Findings from Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey (2015–16)

“…Human Immunodeficiency Virus testing uptake among people with STI in the general population was low (one in 10 underwent testing). This was similar to findings from Tanzania (16% in 2013) [8]. Lack of perceived seriousness of STI, poor access to HIV testing facilities, and social stigma might have possibly resulted in poor HIV testing among this vulnerable group.…”

Uptake of HIV testing among adolescents and associated adolescent-friendly services

“…However, qualitative work done in conjunction with the broader evaluation from which this study is drawn has shown that youth may prefer health facilities that are further away in order to avoid stigma [37]. Other studies have shown that they prefer private clinics [38]. Moreover, HIV testing could have occurred in non-traditional settings, such as schools or home.…”

Determinants of knowledge, attitudes, and practices in relation to HIV/AIDS and other STIs among people with disabilities in North-Shewa zone, Ethiopia

“…Additionally, 37.6% of our study participants knew the major signs/symptoms of STIs which was slightly higher than a study conducted in Ifakara, Tanzania where 32.7% of study participants were able to mention only one sign/symptoms of STIs [ 22 ]. This could be noteworthy that PWDs have restricted access to sexual and reproductive health services including sexually transmitted infections, and they are often socially isolated in obtaining those services.…”