HIV AND STI RISK FACTORS AMONG GEORGIAN YOUTH

Georgian Med News. 2022 Jan:(322):7-12.

Abstract

Designing effective interventions for youth to address STI/HIV risk factors requires local context knowledge. This study gathers information about STI/HIV knowledge among Georgian youth, identifies STI/HIV risk behaviors and quantifies associations between socio-demographic factors and risk practices with HIV/STIs knowledge. Cross-sectional survey was conducted among 411 students using self-administered questionnaire. Bivariate analysis was conducted and prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals were computed. Study participants were more knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS than other STIs, though still lacked information about HIV/AIDS transmission routes. Only 10.1% had ever received HIV testing. Men were less likely to have current permanent sex partner (44.5% vs 79.2%; PR=0.2; 95% CI:0.1-0.5) and more likely to have occasional sex partner past 12 months than women (51% vs 19%; PR=4.3; 95% CI:1.8-10.2). Study describes relatively low awareness of STIs in Georgian youth and revealed possibilities to influence STI transmission through designing gender-tailored public health interventions.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Students