The Effect of Education Given to University Students on Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the education given to the students of a university's vocational school of health services on the knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases. Method: In the quasi-experimental study, the participants were administered the socio-demographic data form and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Knowledge Test in the pretest. After the pre-test, the STD Knowledge Test was applied to the participants trained in the post-test and the study was completed with 222 participants. Results: While the STD knowledge score of the first-grade students included in the study was significantly lower than that of the second-grade students (p<0.05), no significant difference was found between the classes in the STD knowledge score after the training (p>0.05). While there was no significant difference between the marital status and STD knowledge level of the students before the training (p>0.05), the STD knowledge score of married students after the training was statistically significantly higher (p<0.05). While the mean score of the students who received information about STDs from the university before the training was statistically significantly higher before the training (p<0.05), no significant difference was observed after the training (p>0.05). The STD knowledge score of the students included in the study increased significantly after the training compared to before the training (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result, it was determined that the level of knowledge about STDs of the students studying at the vocational school of health services was at an intermediate level (21.0±8.0) at the beginning, and this level increased with the education given (32.4±5.0). This result shows that the education given on STDs is effective.