Awareness of sexually transmitted diseases in a selected sample in Karachi.
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.
Hashwani
S
S
Aga Khan University, School of Nursing, Karachi.
Hiran
T
T
Fatima
M
M
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*