Abstract

Objective: We aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and behavior of university students regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS, gonorrhea and genital herpes.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the online questionnaire consisted of three parts and a total of 38 questions. For comparison of two groups, Mann-Whitney U test was used and for comparison of three or more groups, Kruskal-Wallis and one-way ANOVA tests were used.

Results: A total of 207 students participated in the study. The rates of participants correctly answering the questions about HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, and genital herpes were 42.9%, 40.9%, and 17.5%, respectively. The correct answer rates of health science students, students aged 20-24 years, third-year university students, students receiving sex education classes, and students who believe they take precautions against sexually transmitted diseases (STD) were significantly higher (p<0.001). Male students indicated that they can easily share their STD status with those around them (p<0.001); students in the age group 20-24 indicated that they have taken adequate precautions against STD (p=0.002) and have knowledge of what to do (p=0.012); students studying health sciences indicated that monogamy is an effective remedy against STD (p=0.009) and have knowledge of what to do (p<0.001); students who have received STD education indicated that they have taken adequate precautions against STD and have knowledge of what to do (p<0.001).

Conclusion: University students had inadequate knowledge of STD. It is of great importance that sexual health education is included in the school curriculum. In addition, young people’s access to counselling and treatment services should be facilitated.