Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among health sciences students and teachers in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: A cross-sectional study on the knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was conducted. The objective was to assess the knowledge of STIs among health sciences students and teachers in a city in the southwest of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Methodology: The data were collected through interviews of students enrolled in undergraduate health-related courses in two higher education institutions in Passos-MG. The questionnaire included questions about the demographics of the participants, as well as questions to assess knowledge about STIs.

Results: The sample consisted of 690 individuals, including 470 women, 218 men, and 2 who identified themselves as the ‘other gender’. Of these, 94.3% were students and 5.7% were teachers. Among the students, 284 were from private universities and 367 were from public universities. Of the teachers, 89.7% were from public universities. The mean (standard deviation) knowledge score (on a scale of 0 to 10) of the participants was 5.44 (1.59), with a median of 5. Males had a higher mean (5.77 ± 1.61), with a median of 6; compared to females (5.27 ± 1.56), with a median of 5 (p < 0.001). In addition, teachers had a higher mean (6.26 ± 1.61), with a median of 6; compared to students (5.39 ± 1.58) with a median of 5 (p < 0.002).

Conclusions: There were gaps in the knowledge of students and teachers. This is a worrying situation, and it is necessary to improve academic training on STIs and promote protected sexual relations.