Knowledge and Practices of Female Students at University of Kara Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections in Togo, 2021



Gatibe Yendu-Suglpak Gnatou1, 2, *, Fifonsi Adjidossi Gbeasor-Komlanvi1, 2, Arnold Junior Sadio1, 2, Yao Rodion Konu1, 2, Martin Kouame Tchankoni2, Wendpouiré Ida Carine Zida-Compaore1, 2, Amegnona Agbonon4, Didier Koumavi Ekouevi1, 2, 3
1 University of Lomé, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Lomé, Togo
2 African Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CARESP), Lomé, Togo
3 University of Bordeaux, Inserm, 1219, Institute of Public Health and Development, Bordeaux, France
4 University of Lomé, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Physiology, Lomé, Togo

Abstract

Background:

A good knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in female students is an important element in the prevention of STI transmission.

Objective:

Describe the level of knowledge and practices on STI among female students at the University of Kara.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Kara from July to September 2021. Data were collected using a standard, digitalised, self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to describe factors associated with the level of knowledge of STIs.

Results:

A total of 1,055 female students with a median age of 21 years (interquartile range: 20-24) participated in the study. More than one-third (33.7%) of the students had good knowledge of STI. Having already been tested for HIV (aOR = 3.25; 95% CI [2.36-4.52]), having already had sex (aOR = 1.56; 95% CI [1.10-2.24]) and the level of education (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI [2.10-5.85]) were significantly associated with good STIs knowledge. Among the 723 female students (68.5%) who already had sex, 32.5% reported an inconsistent use of condoms during sexual intercourse and 18.9% reported having multiple sexual partners.

Conclusion:

The results of this study highlight the importance of intensifying STIs prevention efforts (awareness, screening, and vaccination) among female students at the University of Kara.

Keywords: STI, Female students, University of Kara, Togo.

Abstract Information


Identifiers and Pagination:

Year: 2022
Volume: 15
DOI: 10.2174/18749445-v15-e220622-2022-12

Article History:

Electronic publication date: 22/6/2022
Collection year: 2022

© 2022 Gnatou et al.

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.


* Address correspondence to this author at the University of Lomé, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Lomé, Togo; Tel: +22893136655; E-mail: gatibe.gnatou.2017@alumni-usenghor.org