Investigation of knowledge level of married men about sexually transmitted diseases

[Evli erkeklerin cinsel yolla bulaşan hastalıklar hakkındaki bilgi düzeylerinin incelenmesi]

Abstract

Objective: In this study, married men who most often are the carriers of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) were investigated pertaining to the differences in their knowledge level about STDs based on sociodemographic variables.
Methods: The study comprised 200 married men aged between 21 and 71 years. The instrument used was a 72-question survey created using information obtained both from the literature as well as through face-to-face interviews with researchers.
Results: The mean age at the time of the first sexual experience among the participants was found to be 19.09±3.81 years. Knowledge assessment showed that 99% of the participants had never contracted STDs, 95.5% of the patients can easily apply to the doctor if they suspect although 92% of the participants had previously heard of STDs, 44.5% stated that television was their source of information about STDs. 70% stated that they needed information about STDH diseases, 54.5% could participate in informative meetings, and 70% could get STDs out of sexual contact. 89.5% stated that STDs could be transmitted from healthy persons and 66% said that some of the STDs could be treated. The average number of correct answers from the participants was found to be 11.97±8.1 in the STD Infection Ways Knowledge Test that can fetch a highest of 45 points.
Conclusion: According to the data obtained, most participants are informed about STDs to a degree. The promotion of sexual health education is recommended in terms of both increasing the level of knowledge pertaining to STDs and access to reliable information sources.