Assessment of knowledge on sexually transmitted infections and sexual risk behaviour in two rural districts of Bhutan

Norbu, Kunzang; Mukhia, Sontosh; Tshokey

Assessment of knowledge on sexually transmitted infections and sexual risk behaviour in two rural districts of Bhutan

Files

1471-2458-13-1142.pdf (400.92 KB)

Authors

Norbu, Kunzang

Mukhia, Sontosh

Tshokey

Issue Date

2013-12-06

Type

Article

Language

en_US

Keywords

STI , Knowledge , Risky Behaviour , Gasa , Zhemgang , Sexually Transmitted Infections , Sexual Risk Behaviour

Abstract

Background: The incidence of STI is high and increasing in Bhutan. Poor understanding of risky sexual behavior could be a cause. Comprehensive community surveys have not been previously done. This study was conducted to assess local knowledge on STIs and sexual risk behaviour in two rural districts of Bhutan: Gasa and Zhemgang. Methods: The study population included residents aged 15–49 years in the two districts. Health Assistants (HAs) visited all households to distribute questionnaires assessing understanding of knowledge on STIs and risk behaviour. Questionnaires were scored and analyzed. Results: The average score was 61.6%. Respondents had highest knowledge about prevention and lowest about disease and complications. There was a positive correlation between level of education and knowledge on STI (P < 0.05). Almost 37% of students scored low. Nearly one-third of the study population was practicing risky sexual behavior with 31.2% having sexual relationships with non-regular partners and 10.9% had extramarital sexual contacts. Regular use of condoms with non-regular partners was 49.1%. The most common reason for not using condom was unavailability during the sexual encounter. The study showed that despite increasing knowledge there was no reduction in risky sexual behaviour (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The study population had variable understanding of STIs and their complications. One in three persons practiced risky sexual behaviour, higher in men. Condom use was low. There was no reduction of risky sexual behaviour with increasing level of knowledge indicating that increasing level of knowledge does not necessarily reduce risky sexual behaviour.

Citation

Norbu, K., Mukhia, S., & Tshokey (2013). Assessment of knowledge on sexually transmitted infections and sexual risk behaviour in two rural districts of Bhutan. BMC public health, 13(1), 1142. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-1142

Publisher

BMC Public Health