Protection of adolescent girls from sexually transmitted diseases: Results of awareness training

Authors : Şemsi Nur Karabela, Beliz Yekeler Kahraman, Nesibe Şimşekoğlu

Pages : 268-277

Doi:10.21673/anadoluklin.1466255

View : 77 | Download : 74

Publication Date : 2025-05-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: Sexually transmitted diseases pose a substantial public health concern and economic challenge in developing countries, exhibiting a disproportionate impact on women. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge level of high school girls regarding sexually transmitted diseases and to examine the impact of educational interventions on the enhancement of their understanding. Methods: The study’s sample population comprised 131 students enrolled in the 10th and 11th grades of a girls’ high school. Data were collected through the administration of a ‘Personal Information Form’ and a ‘Information Form on Sexually Transmitted Diseases’. These data were collected prior to and following a training program on sexually transmitted diseases scheduled for May 2023. Results: The mean age of the students participating in the study was 16.24±0.75. The mean total score of the Information Form on Sexually Transmitted Diseases’ was 19.17±3.05 before the training and 22.9±2.74 after the training. It was determined that there was a statistically significant positive difference in the correct answers of some questions asked to measure the level of knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases after the training. These questions measured the level of knowledge about ‘protection by vaccination’, ‘the risk of transmission of two sexual diseases together’, ‘affecting infants and can also be seen in children’, ‘transmission by skin contact’, ‘risk of multiple partners’, ‘causing infertility’, ‘easy transmission from the toilet bowl’, ‘adequacy of condom use for protection’, ‘risk of oral contact’, ‘risk of shared injector’ and ‘risk of transmission outside the sexual route’. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that the inadequate knowledge of adolescent girls about sexually transmitted diseases increases with the education provided. To increase young people’s level of knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases and to ensure their access to reliable sources of information, it is recommended that sexual health training, which will be designed taking into account the results of this and similar studies, should be included in high school and university curricula.
Keywords : Adölesan, cinsel yolla bulaşan hastalıklar, öğrenciler, sağlık eğitimi

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