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.
