Randomized questionnaire based cross-sectional research study on awareness of sexually transmitted diseases amongst the general population between those who completed their high school education and those who have not

INTRODUCTION: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a very important health challenge for adolescents. Educational level, especially sex education in school, prevents the adolescents falling prey to these diseases. OBJECTIVE: To compare the awareness of STDs among general population with below and above high school qualification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A simple randomized, cross-sectional, questionnaire based study on the awareness of STDs on out-patients and in-patients of Saveetha Medical College and Hospital of 6 months duration was conducted. About 150 subjects participated in the study. RESULTS: About 77.8% of those who completed schooling had good awareness of STDs. Statistical analysis had shown the formal education to high school level is statistically significantP= 0.0068 (P < 0.05) in people falling prey to the STDs. CONCLUSION: The initiation of formal education about sex education at the school level can improve the present status and lead to better prevention of STDs.