Prevalence of Gonorrhea and Associated Knowledge, Attitude and Risky Behaviors and Preventive Practices Among High School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Gonorrhea is a curable sexually transmitted infection that affects the health of people globally. Millions of new gonorrhea cases are reported every year in people aged 15 to 49 years. Particularly adolescents are vulnerable due to high sexual desire and unsafe sexual practices. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of gonorrhea and the associated knowledge, attitude and risky behaviors and preventive practice of high school students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 students from grade 11 and 12 of Medhane-alem preparatory school using self-administered questionnaires. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 22.0 software. Chi-square test and odds ratio were done at 95% CI using significance level of p < 0.05. The prevalence of gonorrhea among the students was 5.4%. Only 40% of participants were knowledgeable on gonorrhea transmission and less than 50% of them had positive perception towards gonorrhea infected people. Over 55% of the students had no sexual history but the rest had previous sexual experience and were exposed, at least, to one risky behavior. Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher acceptable sexual practice was observed among students with good knowledge than students with poor knowledge (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI   1.42–3.18, p < 0.001). Overall, higher prevalence rate and low knowledge level was observed among the study group. Negative attitudes and unsafe sexual practices were reported by the students. Sexual health education and prevention are necessary among the high school students.