| Abstract | Spolno prenosive bolesti (SPB) ili spolno prenosive infekcije (SPI) su široko rasprostranjeni zdravstveni problem koji se prenosi spolnim putem, uzrokujući infekcije bakterijama, virusima i parazitima. Trihomonijaza, kao jedna od SPI, izaziva upale donjeg genitalnog trakta kod žena i infekcije uretre kod muškaraca, a prenosi se nezaštićenim spolnim kontaktom, dodirivanjem genitalija te putem kontaminiranih sanitarnih čvorova i ginekoloških instrumenata. Iako prijenos infekcije s trudnica na dijete nije dokazan, zaražene trudnice imaju povećan rizik od komplikacija kao što su prijevremeni porođaj ili niska porođajna težina djeteta. Svijest o SPI i trihomonijazi te pravodobna dijagnoza ključni su za suzbijanje ovog problema.
Istraživanje je provedeno anketnim upitnikom među studentima studija sestrinstva kako bi se analizirala njihova razina znanja o spolno prenosivoj infekciji uzrokovanoj T. vaginalis. Anketni obrazac bio je dostupan putem online Google obrasca tijekom razdoblja od 3. ožujka 2023. do 9. srpnja 2023. Istraživanje je obuhvatilo 17 pitanja. Ukupno je sudjelovalo 127 ispitanika, od kojih je 89 (70,1%) bilo ženskog spola, dok je preostalih 38 (29,9%) bilo muškog spola. Najveći broj ispitanika, točnije 59,1%, bio je u dobi od 18 do 25 godina. Od svih sudionika, njih 74% je završilo srednju školu. Većina ispitanika, 51,2%, bili su studenti treće godine preddiplomskog studija sestrinstva. Također, 42,5% ispitanika bilo je trenutno zaposleno u zdravstvenom sustavu.
Većina studenata, njih 105 (82,7%), smatra da su žene češće pogođene simptomima u sklopu trihomonijaze, dok 22 (17,3%) smatra da su muškarci podložniji tim simptomima. Otprilike polovica zaraženih žena T. vaginalis razvije simptomatske infekcije, koje mogu uključivati vaginalni svrbež, iritaciju, nelagodu ili bol tijekom mokrenja, te abnormalan vaginalni iscjedak koji može biti pjenast, žuto-zelen ili neugodnog mirisa. Osim tih općih simptoma, trihomonijaza može dovesti do specifičnih komplikacija kod žena, kao što je upala vrata maternice, poznata kao cervicitis, što može pridonijeti nelagodi i potencijalnim komplikacijama. Rezultati ovog istraživanja potvrđuju važnost edukacije u području sestrinstva kako bi se osiguralo da budući medicinski stručnjaci budu dobro pripremljeni za suočavanje s različitim spolno prenosivim bolestima, uključujući trihomonijazu, te kako bi aktivno sudjelovali u prevenciji i liječenju ovih infekcija. |
| Abstract (english) | Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a widespread health issue transmitted through sexual contact, causing infections by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Trichomoniasis, as one of the STIs, leads to inflammation of the lower genital tract in women and urethral infections in men, transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, genital touching, as well as via contaminated sanitary facilities and gynecological instruments. Although transmission of the infection from pregnant women to their babies has not been proven, infected pregnant women face an increased risk of complications such as premature birth or low birth weight of the child. Awareness of STIs and trichomoniasis, along with timely diagnosis, is crucial in combating this problem.
The research was conducted using a questionnaire among nursing students to analyze their level of knowledge about the sexually transmitted infection caused by T. vaginalis. The survey form was available through an online Google form from March 3, 2023, to July 9, 2023. The study consisted of 17 questions, with a total of 127 respondents, of which 89 (70.1%) were female and the remaining 38 (29.9%) were male. The largest group of respondents, specifically 59.1%, were between 18 and 25 years old. 74% of all participants had completed high school, and the majority, 51.2%, were third-year undergraduate nursing students. Additionally, 42.5% of the respondents were currently employed in the healthcare system.
The majority of students, 105 (82.7%), believed that women are more commonly affected by symptoms related to trichomoniasis, while 22 (17.3%) believed that men are more susceptible to these symptoms. Roughly half of infected women with T. vaginalis develop symptomatic infections, which may include vaginal itching, irritation, discomfort, or pain during urination, as well as abnormal vaginal discharge that can be frothy, yellow-green, or foul-smelling. Apart from these general symptoms, trichomoniasis can lead to specific complications in women, such as cervicitis, an inflammation of the cervix, which can contribute to discomfort and potential complications. The results of this research confirm the importance of education in the field of nursing to ensure that future medical professionals are well prepared to deal with various externally transmitted diseases, including trichomoniasis, and to actively participate in the prevention and treatment of these infections. |
