Investigating causes of the high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in Du Noon

South African Family Practice

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Investigating causes of the high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in Du Noon
 
Creator Dookhith, Azhaar B.F. Razack, Adil Isaacs, Abdul-Aziez
 
Subject Family medicine; general practice; primary care; education sexually transmitted infections; primary health care; risk factors; knowledge; prevalence; HIV; health education; aetiology
Description Background: In South Africa, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a significant public health issue. Sexually transmitted infections contribute significantly to the burden of disease in South Africa and are recognised as one of the main causes of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential causes of the high prevalence of STIs in the Du Noon population.Methods: A mixed methodology study involving 40 participants between the ages of 18 years and 45 years was conducted at Du Noon community health centre from 01 May 2021 to 15 May 2021. Both structured questionnaires and one-on-one patient interviews with open-ended questions were utilised to collect data.Results: Cultural beliefs, having multiple partners, a lack of partner notification, alcohol consumption, and a lack of condom usage were found to be the main contributing factors to the high incidence of STIs. Sex education appears to be lacking. Our findings reflected the other well-known cultural and socioeconomic issues confronting South African communities, for example, poverty, age-disparate relationships, and polygamous relationships.Conclusion: The cultural perspectives and understandings of sexual interactions of older men appear to have an impact on younger generations; as do peer pressure, social media and other socio-economic factors. There is an urgent need to shift cultural ideologies and norms among the youth. More research is needed to understand the views and misconceptions of the general public about STIs.Contribution: This study highlighted how health education challenges, interpersonal relationships, and socioeconomic barriers are still important factors in STI transmission.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor
Date 2024-03-19
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Cross-sectional study; qualitative research
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/safp.v66i1.5794
 
Source South African Family Practice; Vol 66, No 1 (2024): Part 2; 8 pages 2078-6204 2078-6190
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5794/8602 https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5794/8604 https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5794/8605 https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5794/8606
 
Coverage Africa; South Africa; Western Cape; Metro; Southern and Western Subdistrict May 2021 - Jan 2022 Young adults, Male and Female
Rights Copyright (c) 2024 Azhaar B.F. Dookhith, Adil Razack, Abdul-Aziez Isaacs https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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