INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2, FEBRUARY 2013 ISSN 2277-8616 86 IJSTR©2013 www.ijstr.org Prevalence and Associated Factors of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Students of Wolaita Sodo University, Southern Ethiopia Bereket Yohannes, Terefe Gelibo, Mulat Tarekegn Abstract:- Background: sexually transmitted Infections represent a large burden of disease worldwide with an annual incidence of about 333 million cases. In Ethiopia, studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among youth are very few; therefore, conducting research on STIs in general and among youth in particular is an important input to design policy and strategy aimed at preventing and controlling the infections. Objectives: The objectives of the study were determining self reported prevalence of sexually transmitted Infections, and identifying factors associated with STIs among students of Wolaita Sodo University. Methodology: A cross sectional study design was employed among a total sample size of 447 students of Wolaita Sodo University from June to September 2011. Study subjects were selected using Stratified cluster sampling method. Data were collected using semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. Self-reported Syndromic approach was used to measure sexually transmitted Infections status. Logistic regression was used to model Odds Ratio, OR (95%CI). Result: This study was conducted among 309 (69.1%) male and 138 (30.9%) female students with response rate of more than 100%. Most of the students, 294 (65.8%), were first year, 178 (39.8%) were orthodox Christian, 241 (53.9%) were from rural place of previous residence and 421 (95.7%) were currently accommodated in the university. Self reported STIs prevalence in the past 12 months prior to the survey was 19.5% among students. Out of the 158(35.3%) students who were sexually active: 46.0% used condom infrequently, 24.8% had sex with causal sexual partners and 13.9% had sexual intercourse with commercial sex workers. Among 103 who reported the most recent STI syndrome, 43 (41.7%) study subjects had not got treatments for the syndrome they had. Students who had sexual contact with commercial sex workers in the last 12 months were at increased odds of developing sexually transmitted infections (Adjusted OR=4.7,95%CI: 1.2, 8.6). Conclusion: High prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) was obtained among university students who had risky sexual behaviors. Students had unreasonably poor treatment seeking behavior. The following specific recommendations are forwarded: Launching of recreational facilities and sexual and reproductive health service, abstinence and condom promotion interventions. The university should design retention facilities for students to limit them from sexual contact with commercial sex workers. Moreover, further studies to explore the predictor variables are highly recommended. Keywords: - Incidence, Health seeking behaviors, Prevalence, self reported Prevalence, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Syndrome, Sexual behavior, Wolaita Sodo University ———————————————————— INTRODUCTION The term sexually transmitted infections (STIs) refers to a variety of clinical syndromes caused by pathogens that can be acquired and transmitted through sexual activity (1). STIs are caused by more than 30 different pathogens including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungus, and ecto- parasites (2). Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a significant cause of morbidity among adolescents with multiple consequences. Sexually transmitted infections are major global public health problems. They cause serious health, economic and social consequences (2, 4, 5). The impact of these infections is magnified by their potential to facilitate the spread of HIV infection (2, 5). Syndromic case definitions are important in situations where clinical examination and laboratory are not options. Syndromes of STIs include abnormal genital discharge, genital ulcer/sore (5, 7), urethral discharge, and lower abdominal pain in women (5). Their magnitude, potential complications and their interaction with HIV/AIDS make STIs important public health problems of the world (2). They are a major global cause of acute illness, infertility, long-term disability and death, with severe medical and psychological consequences for millions of men, women and infants (5). They are among the world’s most common diseases with annual incidence next to diarrheal diseases, malaria and respiratory diseases (8). Worldwide, about one million people acquire a new curable STI every day (8); and more than 340 million new cases occur each year (9). Adolescents and young adults have the highest rates of curable STIs, 1 in 20 adolescents acquire a new STI each year. Developing countries are particularly affected because the majority of the population is under the age of 40 years (8). Eighty six percent of the world’s burden of STIs occurs in the developing world (9), the biggest burden being in the poorest countries, many of which are in sub-Saharan Africa (10), where identification and management of STIs is limited (2). STIs disproportionately affect women (2, 11) and newborn child (2). The morbidity from STIs (excluding HIV) in women _______________________________ Bereket Yohannes currently has masters degree in public health, Lecturer, Dean School of Public health, in Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia, PH- +251912054718. E-mail: bkabalo@gmail.com Terefe Gelibo currently has masters degree in public health, lecturer, HIV program Coordinator Wolaita Sodo university, Ethiopia, +251912139705. E-mail: teriinsoddo@yahoo.com Mulat Tarekegn has masters degree in public health, Lecturer in Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia, PH- +251912056767. E-mail: mulat2000@yahoo.com