Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre infecciones de transmisión sexual en estudiantes de medicina de dos universidades de Paraguay: estudio transversal 2024-2025

Gladys Mercedes Estigarribia Sanabria; Catalina Elizabeth Segovia Barboza; Julio Torales; Lourdes Elizabeth Martínez; Sandra Sales; Alcides Sosa; Carlos Mendieta; Erika Escobar; Nancy Gonzalez; Jazmin Barrios

doi:10.52379/mcs.v10.778

Authors

Gladys Mercedes Estigarribia Sanabria Universidad Santa Clara de Asís, Caaguazú, Paraguay
Catalina Elizabeth Segovia Barboza Universidad Nacional de Caaguazú, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Caaguazú, Paraguay https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9084-7066
Julio Torales Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Santa Rosa del Aguaray, Paraguay https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3277-7036
Lourdes Elizabeth Martínez Universidad Santa Clara de Asís, Caaguazú, Paraguay https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8684-0578
Sandra Sales Universidad Santa Clara de Asís, Caaguazú, Paraguay
Alcides Sosa Universidad Santa Clara de Asís, Caaguazú, Paraguay
Carlos Mendieta Universidad Santa Clara de Asís, Caaguazú, Paraguay
Erika Escobar Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Santa Rosa del Aguaray, Paraguay
Nancy Gonzalez Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Santa Rosa del Aguaray, Paraguay
Jazmin Barrios Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, San Lorenzo, Paraguay

Keywords:

Sexually transmitted infections, knowledge, attitudes, practices; medical students.

Abstract

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a significant public health problem, especially among young and sexually active populations. Medical students represent a group of interest due to their individual exposure to risk and their future role in education, prevention, and healthcare delivery. Objective: To evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding STIs among medical students from two universities in Paraguay during the 2024–2025 period. Methodology: An observational, descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted. A total of 430 medical students from two Paraguayan universities were included. A structured questionnaire based on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) model was applied. Variables were summarized using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Group comparisons were performed using Pearson’s chi-square test, Wilcoxon test, and Welch’s t-test, as appropriate. Correlation among KAP domains was assessed using Spearman’s coefficient. Results: Seventy percent of participants had a low level of knowledge and 30% had a moderate level, with no cases of high level. Knowledge levels differed significantly between universities (p < 0.001), with 100% low level in University 2 and 57% low level in University 1. Attitudes were predominantly indifferent (52%) or unfavorable (44%), and only 3.7% were favorable. Practices were mostly adequate (87%), with no significant differences by university (p = 0.3). The distribution of attitudes varied by sex (p = 0.005), with a higher proportion of favorable attitudes among males. Correlations between knowledge, attitudes, and practices were weak. Conclusion: Students showed insufficient knowledge about STIs, predominantly indifferent or unfavorable attitudes, and mostly self-reported adequate practices. These findings suggest a gap between reported preventive behavior, conceptual understanding, and attitudinal positioning regarding STIs, highlighting the need to strengthen comprehensive and transversal sexual education in medical training.

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