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Knowledge, Information Needs and Risk Perception about HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases after an Education Intervention on Italian High School and University Students

Author

Listed:
  • Antonella Zizza

    (Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Marcello Guido

    (Laboratory of Hygiene, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Virginia Recchia

    (Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Pierfrancesco Grima

    (Infectious Diseases Operative Unit, Vito Fazzi Hospital, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Federico Banchelli

    (Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Andrea Tinelli

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Veris delli Ponti” Hospital, Scorrano, 73020 Lecce, Italy
    Division of Experimental Endoscopic Surgery, Imaging, Technology and Minimally Invasive Therapy, Vito Fazzi Hospital, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among adolescents and young people represent a significant public health problem that generates a pressing requirement of effective evidence-based education to promote primary and secondary prevention. The objective of the study is to evaluate how knowledge, information needs, and risk perception about HIV and STDs can change after targeted education interventions for students. A total of 436 subjects aged 15–24 attending high school (134 biomedical and 96 non-biomedical fields) and university courses (104 scientific and 102 non-scientific disciplines) were enrolled to respond to a questionnaire before and after the intervention. An improvement in knowledge was found in all groups, with statistically significant knowledge score differences between the four groups in 60% of the items. More than 94% of the students consider it useful to promote information on these issues. Receiving this information generated awareness and safety in more than 85% of high-school students and 93% of University students. Students widely perceived a great risk being infected with HIV/STDs, although pregnancy was seen as a more hazardous consequence of unprotected sex. This study shows that educational interventions are effective in improving knowledge, apart from findings about key knowledge topics, information needs, and risk perception, which provide significant insights to design future targeted education programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonella Zizza & Marcello Guido & Virginia Recchia & Pierfrancesco Grima & Federico Banchelli & Andrea Tinelli, 2021. "Knowledge, Information Needs and Risk Perception about HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases after an Education Intervention on Italian High School and University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:2069-:d:502650
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    2. Nunzia Cannovo & Elena Bianchini & Luciana Gironacci & Elisabetta Garbati & Filiberto Di Prospero & Mariano Cingolani & Roberto Scendoni & Piergiorgio Fedeli, 2024. "Sexually Transmitted Infections in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Cross Section of Public Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-22, April.
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    4. Maria José de Oliveira Santos & Elisabete Maria Soares Ferreira & Manuela Conceição Ferreira, 2024. "Predictors of Condom Use among College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-14, April.

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