Study on sociodemographic factors and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases: a comparison of patients attending STD clinic and OPD of Teaching Hospital Batticaloa

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have dramatically increased in recent years, causing a large health burden in Sri Lanka. The World health organization states that more than 1 million STDs are acquired every day worldwide. The study looked into sociodemographic factors and knowledge attributed to STDs in the patients attending STD clinic at Teaching Hospital Batticaloa (THB). Data was collected from a questionnaire given to 20 patients each attending the STD clinic and Outpatients’ Department (OPD) at THB and also from patient files at the clinic. A cross-sectional study design was carried out. Among the 40 patients at the STD clinic, 35% were infected with syphilis, and 30% were infected with both genital herpes and genital warts. The majority of patients, 50%, were aged 31-44 years, while 42.5% were between 18-30 years old. Males constituted 72.5% of the patients. A significant portion, 72.5%, were educated up to the Ordinary Level, while 25% were educated up to the Advanced Level. Among the patients, 42.5% were unskilled, and 22.5% were unemployed. Half of the patients (50%) were married. A comparison between patients attending the STD clinic and those attending the OPD on knowledge of symptoms, transmission, and prevention of STDs revealed that STD clinic patients had better knowledge than OPD patients. Our results revealed that the knowledge of STDs among the patients attending the clinic OPD is limited. Further, we emphasize the importance of educating young adults at schools on STDs as a preventive measure. Since both the general population and those already attending the STD clinic do not have adequate knowledge of STDs it is important to carry out awareness programs on STD diseases and transmission, medication, and cure of STDs for the youth from school education to prevent their exposure to STD as young adults. Interventions should be done to promote health education in the community.