Lack of Knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Implications for STDs Prevention and Care among Dermatology Patients in an Urban City in Vietnam

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a substantial global burden of diseases, especially in developing countries. Lack of awareness of STDs may lead to a delay in treatment. This study aimed to assess knowledge about STDs and the associated factors among dermatological patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 622 patients at Vietnam National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology (NHD). Structured questionnaires were used to investigate the knowledge about STDs. A multivariate Tobit regression was employed to determine factors associated with knowledge about STDs. The percentage of patients knowing that syphilis was an STD was highest (57.8%), followed by herpes warts (57.7%) and HIV/AIDS (57.4%). By contrast, 26.6% and 17.2% of patients knew that chlamydia and hepatitis C were STDs. The most commonly stated symptom of STDs was purulent genital (53.5%). Nearly two-thirds of participants were aware of the curability of STDs, and 34.7% knew about vaccines for STDs. Living with partners, young age, and acquired knowledge of STDs via the Internet, social networks, and health staff were positively related to having better knowledge about STDs. Based on the results of this study, peer education, informal conversations within clusters, mass community campaigns through the Internet and social networks, and the use of online health care providers should be promoted in order to improve awareness of STDs.

Uptake and Correlates of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Testing among Female Sex Workers in Southern China: A Cross-sectional Study

“…This nding was consistent with studies conducted among men who have sex with men [2,27]. This may be partly attributable to the extensive HIV and syphilis testing system in China, which may serve as a gateway for FSW to improve awareness of other STD, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea [14]. Meanwhile, the FSW who had HIV testing tended to have higher awareness of STD testing [28].…”

“…This may be partly attributable to the extensive HIV and syphilis testing system in China, which may serve as a gateway for FSW to improve awareness of other STD, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea [14]. Meanwhile, the FSW who had HIV testing tended to have higher awareness of STD testing [28]. Although there are many possible ways for promoting chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, such as home-based testing or self-collection [15], outreach services [29]and pay-it-forward [30], the effect is still not ideal.…”

“…However, the current sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention services in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) are mainly focused on controlling HIV and syphilis [10],including China, while to date, limited studies are examining the chlamydia and gonorrhea testing uptake among FSW [11,12]. Previous study in United States and Vietnam indicated that the asymptomatic infection of chlamydia and gonorrhea [13], low levels of knowledge [14], misperceptions of risk, stigma around STD [15], and cost [16] are the main barriers for improving testing uptake of chlamydia and gonorrhea among sexually active women. However, the uptake of chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and barriers among FSW in China are unclear now.…”

Patterns of Risky Sexual Behaviors and Associated Factors among Youths and Adolescents in Vietnam

“…Previous research found that young Vietnamese prefer to download smartphone applications for disease prevention [88]. As a result, campaigns on the Internet and social media, and the use of online healthcare providers should be promoted to improve awareness of STIs [89]. Digital sex education is a potential solution for adolescents and youths together with the development of technology [90,91].…”

High Willingness to Participate in Partner Notification among Women Attending Reproductive Health and STI Clinics in Shenzhen, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Poor knowledge of the sequalae of CT infection could hinder the effectiveness of CT-related interventions such as screening [30], which could also explain the unwillingness to engage in PN in our study. Also, poor knowledge could contribute to an increase in risky behavior and thus increase the risk of STDs/HIV acquisition [35], and poor knowledge could also lead to delays in appropriate treatment [36]. Poor knowledge of STDs was seen in many studies [36][37][38][39] and is considered a major issue in disease prevention, so CT-related education, including information about complications, modes of transmission, and asymptomatic presentation, should be implemented in clinics to increase patient awareness and potentially facilitate PN.…”