Knowledge About Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Attitudes Toward Female Sex Workers With STI Symptoms Among Health Care Providers in Laos

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes among health care providers (HCPs) providing sexually transmitted infection (STI) service to female sex workers (FSWs). A cross-sectional survey was performed in 6 districts along Road 9, traversing Savannakhet province from Thailand to Vietnam. In total, 244 HCPs providing STI services were interviewed. In all, 54% of respondents had no STI training despite providing STI treatment. Misperceptions of STI causes, transmission routes, and symptoms were common among respondents. Attitudes differed neither between male and female respondents nor between those who had or had not received STI training. A higher proportion of pharmacists/drug sellers (68%) had negative attitudes followed by medical doctors (59%) and nurse/midwives (55%). The proportion of herbalists with negative attitudes (53%) was less in comparison with the other professionals. To improve the quality of STI services and to enhance FSWs’ access to health care services, educational improvements of HCPs’ knowledge about STIs and their attitudes are needed.