ABSTRACT
The increased risk of the transmission of HIV is known to be associated with the presence of STIs and despite the presence of the National STI Control Program in India the number of people with STIs remains high. More than 1 million people acquire a STI every day. The true prevalence of STIs can never be known because of inadequate reporting due to secrecy and stigma associated with them and most of them are not even notifiable. Objectives: (1) To study socio-demographic factors of patient's attending STI clinic (2) To assess knowledge of patients about STI/HIV. (3) To assess protective practices of patients towards STIs. Material and Methods: This cross sectional was conducted in STI clinic, PBM hospital, Bikaner from Dec 2014- Jan 2016 using pre-tested and pre-structured questionnaire. The study variables were analyzed using Epi-Info7 software with application of Mean, Proportion and OR, Chi-square. Results: Out of 97 patients 83.5% knew about STIs. 79.4% reported having knowledge about symptoms of STIs and most common symptom reported was itching over genitals and discharge (85.5%). Statistically significant difference was present between male and female patient's knowledge about premarital sex as a factor for acquisition of STIs. 79.3% were using condoms to protect from STIs. The difference was statistically significant between knowledge and practice regarding condom use (χ2 = 6.544, df=1, p=0.01). Statistically significant difference was present between male and female patients practice regarding regular visit to STI clinic. Conclusion: Knowledge of patients regarding protective practices is not matching with their protective behavior.