Opinion dynamics on prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections against the background of COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: analysis of opinion dynamics in young people on prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) against the background of COVID-19 pandemic vs. the pre-pandemic period. Materials and Methods. Our research was based on a comparison of data from a sociological survey of 400 respondents 16-21 years of age in 2021 and an analysis of 838 questionnaires from participants of the same age in a similar study in 2017. The research employed the methodology of sociological questionnaire. The original questionnaire was used, consisting of 46 questions, combined into five thematic blocks: assessment of the STI problem relevance, likelihood of infection risk, readiness to undergo preventive screening examinations, preferred directions for seeking medical help in the event of STI, and consent to examination and treatment in conjunction with a sexual partner. By gender, the distribution of study subjects was as follows: 51% of women (n=427) in 2017 vs. 52% (n=208) in 2021; 49% of men (n=411) in 2017 vs. 48% (n=192) in 2021. In processing and presenting the data, extensive indicators were used, compared with the assessment of the significance of differences sensu Student’s t-test. Results. In 2021, we observed an increase in the interest of young people in undergoing screening examinations (79.5% vs. 63% in 2017, p=0.006) and seeking medical help (93.5% vs. 89.5%, p=0.007); on the other hand, in 2021, young people were more likely to conceal their health status from a partner (32.2% vs. 8.3%, p=0.003). Conclusion. The study revealed a change in the opinions of respondents regarding STIs during the pandemic, specifically, an increase in understanding the need for regular examinations and seeking medical help in the event of STI symptoms, but at the same time, there was a reduced responsibility for the sexual health of their partner.