Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and risky behaviours: a survey among high school and university students.

Introduction: STIs are a serious public health problem. Worldwide, 500 million people a year acquire a STI, and young are the most affected.

Methods: This study was conducted administering an anonymous questionnaire to 1228 Sicilian students of high school and university.

Results: The students had variable understanding of STIs and their complications. The results demonstrate an extreme variability in the knowledge of STIs. Multiple linear regression showed that sexual health knowledge was associated with age and sexual orientation.

Conclusions: Our results show that knowledge of STIs is poor and inadequate. This finding can put students at risk of STIs.