Qidwai W.
Knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Infections among Young Pakistani Men.
J Pak Med Assoc Jan ;52(6):267-8.

Prevalence of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection is still believed to be low in Pakistan. However, because of its location in South Asia and the presence of high risk group for the disease, it is likely that Pakistan would experience diffusion of HIV. We therefore decided to carry out this study to access the understanding of young Pakistani men about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Material, Method and Results: A questionnaire was administered to 188 men between the age of 18 to 30 years, visiting the Family Physicians, at the outpatient clinic of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. The demographic profile of the patients was recorded. One hundred fifty (80%) were married, majority of the respondents were professionals, belonging to the middle socio-economic group, and had high school or higher level education. Men were selected by convenience sampling. Informed written consent was obtained. About 66 (35%) of the respondents thought that condom use can prevent STI`s, 38 (20%) thought avoiding intercourse with a prostitute can avoid STI`s, 38 (20%) thought restricting sexual intercourse to one partner can help. Avoidance of homosexuality, sex education and religious teachings were listed as modalities for prevention of STI`s. Interestingly 21 (11%) of the respondents were not aware of a condom, 77 (41%) of the respondents did not know that condom use could prevent STI`s. Fifty six (30%) of the respondents were not aware that an apparently healthy person could transmit STIs, 1.6% thought that sexual intercourse with a child could cure STIs, 36% were not sure about this. A significant 36% were not sure of the answer. One hundred fifty six (83%) of the respondents stated friends as the source for information about sexual matters, 20 (10.6%) consulted their parents and 12 (6.4%) consulted their siblings in this regard.

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