Table 2 Respondents' HIV and Syphilis Knowledge

The causal agent of HIV/Syphilis

71 (15)

54 (11.4)

The possibility of being healthy-looking and having HIV/Syphilis

155 (32.8)

171 (36.2)

The drug to cure HIV/Syphilis

132 (27.9)

175 (37)

Symptoms:

 Rapid weight loss

271 (57.3)

N/A

 Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week

183 (38.7)

N/A

 Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck

77 (16.3)

N/A

 Sore in the mouth, anus, or genitals

57 (12.1)

N/A

 Painless sore in the genital area

N/A

148 (31.3)

 Painless sore in the mouth

N/A

139 (29.4)

 Painful urination

N/A

36 (7.6)

 Pus-like or blood discharge from the genital

N/A

37 (7.8)

 Skin rash

N/A

176 (37.2)

Routes of transmission:

 Sexual intercourse

344 (72.7)

268 (56.7)

 Sharing injection needles

352 (74.4)

N/A

 Sharing food/drink

193 (40.8)

N/A

 Infected pregnant mother to baby

338 (71.5)

227 (48)

 Kissing or physical contact

150 (31.7)

131 (27.7)

 Infected blood transfusion

369 (78)

N/A

 Sharing underwear/towel/clothes

N/A

83 (17.5)

Preventive measures:

 Being faithful to your partner

263 (55.6)

N/A

 Taking contraceptive pills

142 (30)

129 (27.3)

 Using a condom every time during sex

278 (58.8)

227 (48)

 Showering or cleaning genitals after having sex

80 (16.9)

70 (14.8)

 Using gel or Vaseline when having sex

N/A

79 (16.7)

Level of knowledge (n = 473)

n (%)

HIV

 Poor

222 (46.9)

 Good

251 (53.1)

Mean ± SD: 7.3 ± 3.872

Syphilis

 Poor

271 (57.3)

 Good

202 (42.7)

Mean ± SD: 4.55 ± 3.505

Overall knowledge

 Poor

236 (49.9)

 Good

237 (50.1)

Mean ± SD: 11.85 ± 6.621