Assessing knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted infections among school-going adolescents

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among school-going adolescents in the federal state of Bremen. A systematic literature review of literature on knowledge and awareness of STIs among school-going adolescents in Europe and a school-based cross-sectional survey in 8 secondary schools in Bremen among pupils attending the 8th grade and above were conducted. In addition to questions to assess knowledge and awareness of STIs, pupils were asked to rate the risk of peers to get infected with HIV, HPV or chlamydia. 1148 pupils participated in the school-based survey. Slightly more than half of the pupils correctly answered at least 2 of the four items used to assess knowledge of STIs. Girls, older pupils and those without a migrant background had better knowledge and awareness than boys, younger pupils and those with a migrant background. Results of this thesis can help towards providing more evidence on the level of awareness and knowledge of STIs among school-attending adolescents, highlight gaps and contribute data to the discussion on improving sexuality education for adolescents.