Volume 30, Issue 169, March 2026

Knowledge Level of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Adolescents and Students

Izabella Prządo^1♦, Patrycja Patronik¹, Łukasz Karaś¹, Sabina Krupa- Nurcek²

¹Medical College of the University of Rzeszow, Faculty of Medicine, Poland
²Collegium Medicum of the University of Rzeszow, Department of Surgery, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Izabella Prządo, Medical College of the University of Rzeszow, Faculty of Medicine, Poland

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are a major public health challenge worldwide due to their high prevalence, diverse etiology, and potential for serious complications, including oncogenic risk (HPV) and chronic multiorgan damage. Effective epidemiological control is based on two fundamental pillars: the level of public knowledge about risk factors and transmission routes, and the implementation of robust early screening programs. Aim of the study: Examine the level of knowledge among youth and students about sexually transmitted diseases. Material and methods: A total of 101 people took part in an online survey aimed at assessing their level of knowledge. A diagnostic study design was used, with a questionnaire as the primary research tool. Results: The majority of respondents were students (64.36%) and women (77.23%). The most frequently mentioned STD were HIV (86.14%), AIDS (80.20%), and gonorrhea (80.20%). Statistical analysis revealed significant correlations between knowledge level, study group, and place of residence- students and urban residents scored higher in terms of knowledge about diseases and prevention methods than high school students and countryside residents (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results obtained indicate the necessity of improving health education among adolescents and students, especially in the area of STD prevention.

Keywords: sexually transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted infections, awareness, sexual education

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e54ms3807

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v30i169.e54ms3807

Published: 12 March 2026