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Awareness, Knowledge and Risky Behaviors of Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Young People in Greece

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  • Chrysa Voyiatzaki

    (Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Maria S. Venetikou

    (Laboratory of Anatomy-Pathological Anatomy & Physiology Nutrition, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece)

  • Effie Papageorgiou

    (Reliability and Quality Control in Laboratory Hematology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece)

  • Fragiski Anthouli-Anagnostopoulou

    (Laboratory of Anatomy-Pathological Anatomy & Physiology Nutrition, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece)

  • Panagiotis Simitzis

    (Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece)

  • Dimitrios I. Chaniotis

    (Laboratory of Anatomy-Pathological Anatomy & Physiology Nutrition, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece)

  • Maria Adamopoulou

    (Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affect mainly young individuals and cause health, social, and economic problems worldwide. The present study used a web questionnaire to assess the awareness, knowledge, sexual behaviors, and common practices regarding STDs in young Greek adults. The 1833 individuals, aged 18–30 years, who responded to the study seem to be particularly knowledgeable regarding STDs such as AIDS (97.7%), warts (97%), Chlamydia (92.2%), genital herpes (89.9%), syphilis (81.9%), and gonorrhea (72.1%), whereas lower percentages were noted for trichomoniasis (39.3%), Molluscum contagiosum (12.9%), mycoplasmosis (11.6%), and amoebiasis (7.4%). Regarding oral STD transmission, participants replied correctly for genital herpes (45%), warts (35.8%), and AIDS (HIV; 33.8%), whereas 30.2% were unfamiliar with oral sexual transmission. Of the participants, 52% were not aware that STDs might cause infertility. Only 40.4% of the respondents reported always using condoms during sexual intercourse, and 48.6% had never been tested for STDs. The majority of the young population (55%) presented a moderate knowledge STD score (41–60%) and was associated with demographic parameters such as age, gender, sexual preference, number of sexual partners, and residence ( p < 0.05). These findings provide important information regarding the prevention of STDs and highlight the significance of developing more effective sex education programs for young people in Greece.

Suggested Citation

  • Chrysa Voyiatzaki & Maria S. Venetikou & Effie Papageorgiou & Fragiski Anthouli-Anagnostopoulou & Panagiotis Simitzis & Dimitrios I. Chaniotis & Maria Adamopoulou, 2021. "Awareness, Knowledge and Risky Behaviors of Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Young People in Greece," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10022-:d:641655
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Adigun Temiloluwa Folasayo & Afolayan John Oluwasegun & Suhailah Samsudin & Siti Nor Sakinah Saudi & Malina Osman & Rukman Awang Hamat, 2017. "Assessing the Knowledge Level, Attitudes, Risky Behaviors and Preventive Practices on Sexually Transmitted Diseases among University Students as Future Healthcare Providers in the Central Zone of Mala," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Teresa Fasciana & Giuseppina Capra & Paola Di Carlo & Cinzia Calà & Marco Vella & Giuseppe Pistone & Claudia Colomba & Anna Giammanco, 2021. "Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Sexual Behavioral Factors of Patients with Sexually Transmitted Infections Attending a Hospital in Southern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-10, April.
    3. Antonella Zizza & Marcello Guido & Virginia Recchia & Pierfrancesco Grima & Federico Banchelli & Andrea Tinelli, 2021. "Knowledge, Information Needs and Risk Perception about HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases after an Education Intervention on Italian High School and University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
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