Knowledge Level, Attitude and Preventive Practices on Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Prisoners in Cuddalore Prison

INTRODUCTION: Sexually transmitted diseases are a worldwide growing health problem. STIs are transmitted predominantly through unprotected sex and can be transmitted during blood transfusion, childbirth as well as sharing needle. AIM: This study was done to assess the knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices related to SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES among prisoners in cuddalore prison. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted among the prisoners in cuddalore prison. A total of 252 prisoners in various age group were included in the study. Socio-demographic details, knowledge, attitude and preventive practices were collected using semi structured questionnaire. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and analysed using IBM SPSS version 17. RESULTS: Off 252 prisoners, nearly 88 % were males and 12 % were females. Mean age of participants was 40±12.6 years. Two hundred and eighteen (86.5 %) had heard about STIs. Newspaper, TV/Radio and public talks were the predominant source of information for most of the participants. About 86.9 % of the participants knew about the modes of transmission of STIs. About 87.3 % and 77.4 % of the participants knew about the symptoms and complication of STIs. Awareness about Attitude and Prevention of STIs among prisoners was variable. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study shows that the knowledge about STIs are better among prisoners but it is important to orient the publics about sexual health and safe sexual practices as it take a long way in prevention and control of STIs.