A study on knowledge, attitude and practice of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV in adolescent population in Wardha, Maharashtra, India

Background:  Adolescent sexuality leads to adolescent pregnancy, unsafe abortion, Reproductive Tract Infections, Sexually transmitted infections and HIV. Over 35% of all reported HIV/AIDS infections in India occur amongst young people 15-24 years age. To study knowledge, attitude and practice regarding this sensitive problem among adolescents, which can help young people, overcome from sexual related problems. Methods: Systematic random sampling was used to select participants from the schools. 375 students were selected for the study. A predesigned, pre-tested, self-administered multiple response questionnaires was provided to the students . Results:  Regarding knowledge about STDs, 73.9% had heard about HIV and 11.5% about syphilis Genital discharge as a symptom of STD was known to 171 (45.6%) students, genital ulcer was known to 67 (17.9%) students while dysuria was known to 23.2% of students. Nearly 50% of students had knowledge about routes of transmission of HIV. However majority of student had misconceptions regarding transmission of HIV. Males had better knowledge as compared to females regarding vertical and transfusion related transmission.15% accepted that they have used condom in which the proportion of males was higher. The attitude of students about having multiple sexual partners was very casual. Significant proportions (39%) of students also feel that sexual intercourse make them popular. Conclusions:  There was an evident gap between knowledge and practices especially with respect to the sexual practices of youth which needs to be bridged.