PREVALENCE OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE REGULAR STUDENTS IN HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Sexually transmitted infections remain a major public health problem in developing country including Ethiopia. University students are at high risk for acquiring sexually transmitted infections due to multiple factors shadowed. However, there is dearth of recent study conducted to assess the magnitude of the problem and its associated factors in Ethiopian Universities. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and its associated factors among undergraduate regular students in the Haramaya University, Eastern Ethiopia from March 1–30, 2023. Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 778 randomly selected regular undergraduate students. A pre-tested structured and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the dependent and independent variables. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses was employed using STATA version 17.0 to identify factors associated with sexually transmitted infections. Odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of association. Variables with a p-value less than 5% was considered as statistically significant. Results: In the current study, the prevalence of STI among university students was 25.40% [95% CI: 20.84, 30.56]. Bing female (AOR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.80) and students from the college of computing and Informative (AOR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.32, 4.47), current khat users (AOR=2.20, 95% CI: 1.09, 4.45) and current alcohol users (AOR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.32, 5.38), consistent condom use (AOR=0.21, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.74) , and poor knowledge about the mode of STI transmission (AOR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.71) were important factors contributing to high prevalence of STI. Conclusions: The magnitude of STI among undergraduate regular students in Haramaya University was higher. Thus, reproductive health interventions targeting females and students from the college of computing and informatics, khat and alcohol users should be instituted.