Cognizance of sexually transmitted infections among low-income men in western Kenya

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose a worldwide health problem. To improve the efforts of prevention of STIs it is important to gain insight into the awareness of STIs among people in the society.

Objective: To describe the cognizance of STIs among low-income men in western Kenya.

Method: Data was collected from eight focus groups consisted of 64 men between15 and 54 years of age. The interviews were audio taped and content analysis was used for the analysis.

Findings: Three categories were derived: Consciousness of STIs, Risk of and prevention of STIs, and Marital relationship and STIs. The results indicate that men had some limited consciousness of STIs but that there were misunderstandings. The treatments the men mentioned were hospital treatment help, from traditional herbalists and self-administration. Condoms were regarded as an effective prevention method, but there were obstacles to using them as well as to talking about STIs within marriage.