Knowledge and Attitudes of Female Students Who Live in Tehran Dormitories, Towards STDs and Sexual Relationship

Background: Sexual and reproductive ill health causes over one third of the global burden of diseases among women of childbearing age. This survey was performed to study female students' knowledge and attitudes towards STDs and sexual relations.

Patients and Methods: A KAP study was achieved. Knowledge, attitudes and practice were asked by questionnaire. One hundred and four female students of three dormitories were selected by convenient sampling method. The levels of knowledge and attitudes were measured and analyzed by SPSS software.

Results: AIDS and hepatitis were recalled by 85.6% and 44.9% of students, respectively. Only, 1% of students had acceptable knowledge and the remaining had low and very low level of knowledge. Students guessed their intimate friends have sex relationship with their boyfriends (28.3%). Female students pointed to "sexual need and instinct" as the most prevalent reasons for before marriage sex (40.1% for females and 72.6% for males, p<0.015).

Conclusion: Promoting the knowledge, attitudes and life skills of students through health education programs with respect to sexual issues and reproductive health is necessary. Providing reproductive health services and periodical examinations for females are recommended too.