Imdad A Khushk, Bakhtyar A Shah, Razia M Abbasi, Masood A Mahesar, Rukhsaar A Shahani.
Awareness and practices regarding sexually transmitted infections among currently married males and females in a rural district of Sindh.
Pak J Med Sci Jan ;25(5):992-6.

Objective: To determine the levels of awareness and practices regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a Rural District of Sindh – Pakistan. Methodology: It was a cross – sectional survey conducted in Taluka Khipro, District Sanghar-Sindh during June 2004 in fifteen villages. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire by trained local male and female workers who interviewed door to door. A total of 116 currently married males and females were interviewed. Results: Majority of males 34(29%) were in 25-29 years age group, while among females 32 (28%) fell in 20-24 years age group. Majority of males i.e. 79 (68%) and females 108(93%) was not educated. Only 36(31%) males or females knew symptoms of STIs like vaginal discharge, discharge from urethra and back pain. Twenty-five (22%) males and 12(10%) females reported that "only wife can have sexual disease". Two (2%) females shared that both (male and female) can have Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), AIDS and Hepatitis C. Male respondents (72%) knew different symptoms of STIs. Majority of males (78%) and females (51%) were aware about Hepatitis B and C infections. Majority of respondents had never heard about AIDS. Only 4% males were of the view that it spreads by inappropriate sexual relation. Sixty married females (52%) had knowledge about any contraceptive method. No subject (male or female) reported having ever used any contraceptive method. Conclusion: This study depicts poor picture of a rural population in awareness and practices regarding STIs in particular and reproductive health in general in the target area. This was a limited study and to further explore reproductive health issues in rural areas, studies with larger sample size and stronger statistical evidence are required.

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