Knowledge of HIV and STIs and associated factors among patients attending specialized hospital nursing consultations

To determine the level of knowledge about HIV, HIV transmission, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), hepatitis, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual-other individuals attending a hospital-based nursing STI consultation. To analyze sociodemographic, clinical, sexual behavior, substance use, social support, and stigma factors associated with the level of knowledge about these infections.

Observational, cross-sectional, analytical, single-center study in a hospital in Spain, with 259 patients consecutively recruited between November 2021 and July 2022. The European Men to Men Internet Survey (EMIS) was used, and bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis was applied.

66.0% of the participants were heterosexual, 25.5% homosexual, and 8.5% bisexual-other. The median age was 52 years [41.5-59.0]. The highest level of HIV knowledge was observed in homosexual individuals (69.7%). 93% of heterosexuals were unaware of PrEP and PEP. Factors associated with lower knowledge were: heterosexual orientation, age over 40, female gender, lower educational level and income, unemployment, alcohol and drug use, limited internet use, fewer sexual partners, lack of safe sex, and lower social integration.

It is necessary to strengthen education on HIV and STIs, especially among heterosexuals, women, older adults, and bisexual-other individuals. Interventions should be adapted to each group, demystify HIV transmission, promote PrEP and PEP, and reduce stigma, contributing to the design of more inclusive and effective educational strategies to reduce the prevalence of STIs and HIV.