Awareness of sexually transmitted infections among women of reproductive age in Indonesia: a nationally representative cross-sectional study.
- 1School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Waigani, Papua New Guinea.
- 2School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
Abstract
Introduction
Awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is essential for prevention and timely care. In Indonesia, the burden of STIs among women remains substantial, yet evidence on their awareness is limited. This study assessed STI awareness and its associated factors among Indonesian women aged 15-49 years.Methods
Data from the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey, were analysed. Survey weights were applied to account for the complex sampling design. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with STI awareness. Results are presented as adjusted ORs (AORs) with 95% CIs. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05.Results
Among 13 889 Indonesian women included in the analysis, 88.7% reported STI awareness, with the largest proportion residing in Java (58%). In the multivariable analysis, women residing in Java (AOR=1.81, 95% CI 1.48 to 2.22), Nusa Tenggara (AOR=1.45, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.86) and Papua (AOR=2.21, 95% CI 1.02 to 4.82) had higher odds of STI awareness than those in Sumatra. Higher odds were also observed among women aged 25-34 years (AOR=1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.51), those whose sexual debut occurred at age 20 years or older (AOR=1.19, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.72) and those who reported no sexual activity in the past 4 weeks (AOR=1.24, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.05). Conversely, women residing in Sulawesi, those with lower levels of education, those from the poorest households and those with limited access to mass media and information technology had lower odds of STI awareness.Conclusions
Despite high STI awareness among Indonesian women, substantial geographic, socioeconomic and demographic disparities persist. Targeted, context-specific interventions are needed to promote equitable access to sexual health information and STI awareness among underserved populations.
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BibTeX
@article{maviso2026awareness,
title = {{Awareness of sexually transmitted infections among women of reproductive age in Indonesia: a nationally representative cross-sectional study.}},
author = {McKenzie Maviso and Solomon Samson},
journal = {BMJ public health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1136/bmjph-2026-005545},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42920934},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Awareness of sexually transmitted infections among women of reproductive age in Indonesia: a nationally representative cross-sectional study.
AU - McKenzie Maviso
AU - Solomon Samson
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - BMJ public health
DO - 10.1136/bmjph-2026-005545
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42920934
AB - Introduction Awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is essential for prevention and timely care. In Indonesia, the burden of STIs among women remains substantial, yet evidence on their awareness is limited. This study assessed STI awareness and its associated factors among Indonesian women aged 15-49 years.Methods Data from the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey, were analysed. Survey weights were applied to account for the complex sampling design. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with STI awareness. Results are presented as adjusted ORs (AORs) with 95% CIs. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05.Results Among 13 889 Indonesian women included in the analysis, 88.7% reported STI awareness, with the largest proportion residing in Java (58%). In the multivariable analysis, women residing in Java (AOR=1.81, 95% CI 1.48 to 2.22), Nusa Tenggara (AOR=1.45, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.86) and Papua (AOR=2.21, 95% CI 1.02 to 4.82) had higher odds of STI awareness than those in Sumatra. Higher odds were also observed among women aged 25-34 years (AOR=1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.51), those whose sexual debut occurred at age 20 years or older (AOR=1.19, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.72) and those who reported no sexual activity in the past 4 weeks (AOR=1.24, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.05). Conversely, women residing in Sulawesi, those with lower levels of education, those from the poorest households and those with limited access to mass media and information technology had lower odds of STI awareness.Conclusions Despite high STI awareness among Indonesian women, substantial geographic, socioeconomic and demographic disparities persist. Targeted, context-specific interventions are needed to promote equitable access to sexual health information and STI awareness among underserved populations.
SN - 2753-4294
ER -