Analysis of the awareness of the risk, distribution and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases among students from 9th to 12th grade from 1st school „Seven Saints` - Targovishte

Abstract

Introduction: Fashion is everywhere, even in relationships. As fashionable as it may look to young people between 16 and 18, early sexual activity has its high price. Along with the strong emotions of falling in love, come separation, frustration and often sexually transmitted infections. Diseases are characterized by diverse clinical symptoms, but have the same mechanism of transmission and spread of infection - sexual contact.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the awareness of students from 9th to 12th grade from 1st school „Seven Saints` of the risk, prevalence and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Materials and Methods: The study included high school students from 9th to 12th grade from 1st School „Seven Saints` - Targovishte, in May 2016. The number of respondents was 100, of which 52 girls and 48 boys, evenly distributed in groups of 25 students from each year, selected at random. For the purpose of the study, we have developed a questionnaire with 14 questions - 12 closed-ended and 2 open-ended ones. Processing and data analysis used documentary, statistical and graphical method.

Results: In determining the scope of the study we decided to use students from 9th grade as a lower limit. This is the time when young people are mature enough to lead active sex life, confirmed by 57% of respondents. More than 1/3 (38%) of the students said they have had casual sex, which increased significantly in students from 11th and 12th grade. Approximately half of them(42.10%) use protection during intercourse and 10.50% stated that they never use protection. The most commonly used prophylactic method is a condom combined with contraceptive drugs or an IUD. Conclusions: The results show that young people are familiar with the basic methods of prevention of not only pregnancies but also sexually transmitted diseases. The main sources of information are the Internet and conversations with parents.

The topic of sexually transmitted diseases and sexual activity is no longer taboo, which will greatly contribute to the sexual culture of the younger generation. The prevention of these diseases is essential, because if not treated, they can cause infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and cancer of the cervix.