KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEFS ABOUT STDS AND COND OM USE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Since sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a serious health proble m among youth, proper understanding of knowledge about STDs, beliefs a bout condom use and associated factors are public health necessities. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 2,920 randomly selected students and was returned by 59.3% of the sample. We observed a lack o f knowledge in one third of students, negative beliefs on condom use f or at least 20% of students and a low perceived risk to contract STDs. With multivariate analyses, we observed that male students, youths be tween 18-21 years of age and those who didn't have any sexual partner since their admission to the university should be the target of interv ention programs.