Students’ knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases in relation to their sexual attitudes and behaviors

Abstract

This descriptive-correlation study assessed the level of knowledge
on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) of college students and its
influence on their sexual attitudes and behaviors. The participants
comprised 700 students from different colleges and universities in
Tuguegarao and boarding within the City. The Sexual Attitude and
Behavior Inventory (de Jose, 2013) and Sexually Transmitted Disease
Knowledge Questionnaire (Jaworski & Carey, 2007) were used. The
participants used a 5-point Likert scale to reflect the option in assessing
their sexual attitude and behavior. In measuring the level of knowledge
on STDs, each participant’s answer was scored with 0 or 1 depending
on wether the answer is correct. Data were treated using SPSS version
17, the weighted mean, independent t-test, Analysis of Variance and
Pearson-r correlation. Results show that participants possess a "neutral
sexual attitude" and practice "moderately negative sexual behavior."
Majority of the participants have a low level of knowledge on STDs. A
significant difference exists in participants’ sexual attitude according
to gender, age, sexual preference, school, course, living arrangement
and type of boarding house. Also, a significant difference exists in the
participants' sexual behaviors relative to their gender, age, school,
course, living arrangement and type of boarding house. Furthermore,
there is a significant difference in participants’ level of knowledge on
STDs when they are grouped according to age, school, course and living
arrangement. There is a significant relationship between the sexual
attitude and sexual behavior of the participants which implies that
sexual attitude affects the sexual practices of an individual.