Knowledge About Sexually Transmitted Infections and Associated Factors Among Brazilian Riverside People

Abstract

Riverside populations in the Amazon are considered vulnerable due to their living conditions, social aspects, and access to health services; therefore, they may be more exposed to sexually transmitted infections. The objective of this study is to analyze knowledge about STI and associated factors in the riverside population of a metropolis from the Brazilian Amazon. A cross‐sectional study carried out in the Combú environmental protection area. The participants were individuals aged at least 18 years old living in the study area. A questionnaire on knowledge about STI was applied, in addition to another one on associated factors. Multiple binary logistic regression was performed in Minitab 22. A total of 325 riverside dwellers participated in the study. Participants with low schooling levels, incomes below one minimum wage and who had never taken any rapid HIV tests are twice as likely to having low knowledge about STI. Those who live with more people in the same household are more likely to presenting low knowledge levels. The social factors exerted a greater impact on low knowledge about STI.