Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: December | Volume: 7 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 176-179
A Study on Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV/AIDS among Adolescent Girls Aged 15-17 Years, in Koti, Hyderabad
Desham Chelimela1, B.Kiranmai2
1Senior Resident, 2Professor, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
Corresponding Author: Desham Chelimela
ABSTRACT
Background: Adolescent age group forms a most vulnerable population for exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. It is very important that adolescent females should be equipped with ample amount of information to protect themselves from falling a prey to these diseases.
Objectives: (i) To assess the awareness of college going adolescents regarding HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. (ii) To suggest improvements in curriculum about STD’s for school and college going students.
Methodology: Convenient sampling was done, by taking the students whoever was available at the time of study. 200 students were included in the study.
Results and Discussion: Most of the students (97.5%) heard about HIV/AIDS, and 84.5% heard about the term Sexually Transmitted Disease. Most of the students’ medium of awareness was academics in school and college and through friends. Most of them do not know the mode of spread, symptoms, and methods of prevention and treatment of STD’s. Hence there is a need to improve the curriculum of the school as well as college going students and to increase the role of media in imparting the knowledge about HIV/AIDS as well as STD’s.
Key words: Adolescents, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency virus), AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).