KNOWLEDGE ON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIS) AND ITS DETERMINING FACTORS AMONG PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KOTA BHARU DISTRICT OF KELANTAN, MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.26/no.2/art.3719Keywords:
sexually transmitted infections, knowledge, adolescents, students, health education, MalaysiaAbstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a significant health concern for adolescents in Malaysia. Limited knowledge, misconceptions, and stigma surrounding reproductive health place young people at risk of infection. This study explored how much secondary school students in Kelantan know about STIs and what factors influence their understanding. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2025 involving 220 students aged 13-16 years from public secondary schools in Kota Bharu. A validated self-administered questionnaire in Bahasa Malaysia assessed student’s sociodemographic backgrounds, knowledge of STI types, transmission, symptoms, prevention and their source of information. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and linear regression. Overall, students showed low levels of STI knowledge, with mean score of 13.75 (SD=8.11) out of 38. HIV was the only widely recognized STI (69.5%), while awareness of infections such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis was very limited. Misconceptions were common, where almost half believed tuberculosis is an STI, and more than half thought infection could spread through handshakes. Many students were unaware of common symptoms, and most did not know that STIs can be asymptomatic. Only 44.1% identified condom use as a preventive measure. Schools and the internet were the main information sources, while parents played a much smaller role. Academic form, gender, and household income were significant predictors of knowledge. These findings highlight the need to strengthen sexual health education in schools and to encourage more open, supportive communication at home to improve STI awareness among adolescents.
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