Page 205 - Petelin, Ana, ur. 2024. Zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih / Health of Working-Age and Older Adults. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press

Awareness of sexually transmitted diseases among the population
of Slovenia

Iris Ruzzier, Sandra Martinuč
University of Primorska Faculty of Health sciences, Izola, Slovenia

Introduction: Sexually transmitted diseases have been a major concern for centuries,
as they are a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality and remain a public health
problem at home and worldwide. In this context, it is important to raise awareness
and identify sexually transmitted diseases in a timely manner, and to provide appro-
priate information and treatment. The aim of the survey was to determine the aware-
ness and knowledge of the population of Slovenia about sexually transmitted diseases.
Methods: The descriptive method was used for the theoretical work, which included
a review of scientific monographs and professional and scientific articles. The search
terms used were: sexually transmitted diseases, sexuality, nurse, sexually transmit-
ted diseases. The survey technique used was a structured instrument in the form of
a questionnaire published on the website www.1ka.si from April to June 2023, which
was completed by 141 people of both sexes, aged 18 or under to 56 or over. The data
collected were processed in Microsoft Excel. The data obtained were statistically pro-
cessed and presented as percentages and compared with each other.
Results: The survey revealed that people in Slovenia have insufficient knowledge about
sexually transmitted diseases. HIV is the most known sexually transmitted disease
(n=128, 12%) and trichomoniasis is the least known (n=25, 2%), which has been on posterji | poster presentations
the rise in recent years, just like other more well-known sexually transmitted diseases.
Knowledge about protection against sexually transmitted diseases itself is satisfactory,
as a large proportion of respondents use adequate protection before sexual intercourse
(n=120; 30%). Among the respondents, it was evident that some do not protect them-
selves and do not use protection before sexual intercourse. Prevention of newly emerg-
ing sexually transmitted diseases is essential, and we asked respondents about the fre-
quency of protection against them. From the survey, we found that a large proportion
of respondents always protect themselves (43%), while the lowest proportion some-
times or very often protect themselves (11%).
Discussion and conclusions: Sexually transmitted diseases are divided into viral, bacte-
rial, fungal and residual agents (protozoa and ectoparasites) according to their causa-
tive agents. Almost all sexually transmitted diseases share a common mode of trans-
mission; the opposite is true for their treatment, which focuses on a specific sexually
transmitted disease. We need to pay attention to asymptomatic sexually transmitted
diseases, as data show that in recent years sexually transmitted diseases have been
detected incidentally, which represents a poorer prognosis for treatment and further
management of the patient. The nurse’s role in this area is varied, as it is essential for
the patient and the course of treatment.
Keywords: sexually transmitted diseases, public awareness, role of the nurse

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