Sexually transmitted disease (STD) is an important health problem as all over the world in our country. We aimed to determine the level of male adolescents knowledge about STD particularly about HIV/AIDS and evaluate the factors regarding to their knowledge. This study was performed in November December 2004 in Etimesgut Military Troop. Three hundred twenty five person was selected by simple randomized methods, and 310 person accepted to participate in this study. All participants were young male military persons and the mean age was 21,8+1,7. The best known topic was How many times can a condom used? (86,5%). AIDS was the best known STD (76,1%) , and the Gonore was second, 49,7%, but syphilis was only known 6,5%. Over all knowledge score was 6,4+2,3 (max:10). Mean score of participants who had not graduated elementary school, were only 4,2. We realized that this result increased with education level. Mean score was 7,1 in participants with high school or upper education level and difference between these two groups was statistically significant (p=0,001). Participants who were born and living in the west part of the country had the highest mean score (7,8 and 7,1 respectively). Consequently, young adults whove been at high risk about STD, have knowledge needs, especially who live in the east region. It will be useful to have education programmes about this subject.
Key words: Sexually transmitted diseases, Adolescent, AIDS, Knowledge level Article Language: Turkish English
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