Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Associated Factors Among Night School Students in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continued to be a global public health concern, primarily among adolescents in poor socioeconomic countries. This study was aimed to assess knowledge, practice, and associated factors of night school students to prevent STIs in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 students randomly selected from night schools. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data were entered, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. Descriptive statistics were used to describe study variables. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with knowledge about STI and its prevention. The strengths of associations were described using odds ratio at 95% confidence interval and a P-value of less than 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 420 consented students were enrolled into the study. More than half, 420 (57.9%), and three-fourths, 332 (79%), of the students were women and married. Only 24.8% and 12.4% of the students had good knowledge and practice on the prevention of STIs, respectively. Age, educational status, information access, school health education, and consistent use of condoms were factors associated with the knowledge of students about STIs. Similarly, age, sex, knowledge about STIs, and discussion with families were factors of STI prevention practice among night school students. CONCLUSIONS: Giving special attention to awareness creation, information access, discussion with families, and improving family/individual income is vital to prevent STIs and its impact among night school students.