Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a public health concern, disproportionately affecting young people due to high sexual risk behaviors, stigma, and limited access to care. In the Philippines, where HIV cases are rapidly increasing, evidence on STI symptoms and related health-seeking behaviors among youth is limited. This study examines the prevalence and correlates of STI symptoms and health-seeking behaviors among Filipino youth. This is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study of 15–24-year-old Filipinos, the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS5). 3120 sexually experienced individuals were included in the analysis. Overall, 31.9% of the Filipino youth reported to have experienced STI-associated symptoms, with pain during urination and itching in the genital area as the most common. Among the 1032 who reported STI-associated symptoms, less than one-third sought help for their symptoms. Logistic regression results show that sex, age, residence, educational attainment, commercial sex, STI knowledge, and awareness of AIDS are linked to STI-associated symptoms. Health-seeking behaviors were associated with sex, received payment for sex, inconsistent condom use, heard of ARV medication, and tested for HIV. This study provides national prevalence estimates for STI symptoms and health-seeking behaviors of the Filipino youth. These findings highlight the need for targeted comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education and improved access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services particularly for the vulnerable young population.

Authors:
Earl Francis Mallari, Asia University, Taiwan
Mein-Woei Suen, Asia University, Taiwan
Karl Peltzer, Asia University, Taiwan
Arbie Diane Flores, Far Eastern University, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Mr. Earl Francis Mallari is currently a Ph.D. student in the Department of Healthcare Administration Specialty in Psychology at Asia University in Taichung City, Taiwan.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

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