[Awareness and education regarding sexually transmitted diseases among undergraduate students].
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the main global cause of acute illness and death and represent a high socioeconomic cost. Undergraduate students are highly exposed to STDs. The research developed at UNICAMP sought to quantify and generate self-perception of knowledge(or lack thereof) about STDs, as well as evaluate the interest of the students in a course on the topic. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire sent electronically to students about to graduate at the end of 2011 and to freshmen in 2012. The questionnaire was answered by 1,448 seniors and 371 freshmen. Twenty percent of seniors and 38% of freshmen had no sexual activity. Among sexually active students, 26.9% had no regular partner and 28.2% more than two partners per year. The condom was used by 99% of students, but less than 20% used them appropriately. About 80% were unaware that condoms do not provide protection outside the barrier area; they intended to read more about STDs and learnt something about the subject. Nearly half of the students considered that a course should be offered to all undergraduates. These findings will be of use in defining strategies for prevention and the teaching tool could be used in other learning environments.
Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas SP , Brasil, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Área de Ensino, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp). R. Tessália Vieira de Camargo 126, Cidade Universitária "Zeferino Vaz". 13083-887 Campinas SP Brasil. eneida_lazzarini@ yahoo.com.br.
Eneida Lazzarini de
EL
Castro
Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação, Unicamp, Campinas SP , Brasil, Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Educação Superior, Faculdade de Educação, Unicamp. Campinas SP Brasil.
Tânia Alencar de
TA
Caldas
Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Departamento de Pediatria, FCM, Unicamp, Campinas SP , Brasil, Departamento de Pediatria, FCM, Unicamp. Campinas SP Brasil.
André Moreno
AM
Morcillo
Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação, Unicamp, Campinas SP , Brasil, Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Educação Superior, Faculdade de Educação, Unicamp. Campinas SP Brasil.
Elisabete Monteiro de Aguiar
EM
Pereira
Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Departamento de Clínica Médica, FCM, Unicamp, Campinas SP , Brasil, Departamento de Clínica Médica, FCM, Unicamp. Campinas SP Brasil.
Paulo Eduardo Neves Ferreira
PE
Velho
D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057566:Self Report; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult