title: Awareness of sexually transmitted diseases in a selected sample in Karachi.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are a major public health problem in developing countries (Adler, 1996). The purpose of this study was to asses women's knowledge level about STDs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional survey was done and data collected through a semi-structured interview. A convenient sample of 30 sexually active females between the ages of 15-45 years from an urban community in Karachi was selected for the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey findings showed that 30% of the women reported that they had adequate knowledge and 20% partial knowledge. Thus almost three-quarters of the respondents indicated either inadequacy or lack of knowledge about STDs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results establish a need for STD clinics at Community-based Primary Health Care (PHC) Centers. These clinics need to address screening, treatment and health education issues in relation to STDs for the target population.
authors.affiliation: Aga Khan University, School of Nursing, Karachi.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hashwani
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hiran
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fatima
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*