A SURVEY-BASED STUDY TO ASSESS THE PRACTICE AND AWARENESS ABOUT THE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs) AMONG NEW MARRIED COUPLES

Objective: To regulate the awareness levels and approaches in rural areas concerning sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Methods: This study was organized at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore in the timeframe of January 2017 to November 2017. A questionnaire was set to gather bio-data information of the participants with the help of qualified resident female and male workforces. A total number of 120 recently married females and males assessed and enrolled in the research study. Results: The range of age among maximum participants was 25 to 30 years for the males 34% (29) and 20 to 24 years for the female 28% (32). Maximum male participant 68% (79) and the female participants 93% (108) were uneducated. The only 31% (32) participants from each gender were having the knowledge related to the STIs symptoms such as back pain, vaginal discharge, and discharge from the urethra. In the participants, 22% (25) males and 10% (12) females described that sexual diseases are possessed only by the wife and 2% (2) females stated that STIs, Hepatitis C, and AIDS can be in both genders. In the male participants, 71% knew various indications of STIs. Maximum of 78% male participants and 51% female participants already knew about the Hepatitis B and C infections. Maximum participant knew nothing about AIDS. Four percent male participants were possessing the view that this disease spreads through inappropriate sexual relationship. In female participants, 50% (58) had information about any contraceptive method. None of the participants stated about ever using the contraceptive method of any kind. Conclusion: People living in rural areas are less aware and having insufficient information and practices about STIs specifically and health care in the reproductive process generally in the target area. There is the need for higher statistical proofs and larger samples for exploration of further reproductive health-related issues in rurthe al areas. Keywords: Sexually Transmitted Infections, Safe Reproductive Health, Awareness, Behaviour, AIDS, Contraceptio