Search

Plain language summary Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections commonly spread through sexual contact and transmitted by bacteria, viruses, or parasites and are the most common cause of illness among university students. Information-seeking behavior related to STIs is a means by which individuals sought information related to sexual health, disease, health risk, and health promotion. Communicating STIs and sexual risk behaviors during youth, particularly among university students, is effective in reducing STI-related problems. Lack of access to health information, lack of communication, and insufficient information about STIs are key issues that have contributed to the high prevalence of STIs. In Ethiopia, information-seeking behavior related to STIs and information use culture for improving the sexual health of individuals and the communities is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess STI information-seeking behavior and its associated factors among students at the University of Gondar. More than half of the students sought STI-related information seeking in the past year. From those STI-related information seekers, the majority of students preferred the internet as a primary source for STI-related information. Field of study, year of study, internet access, digital literacy, sexual experiences, had STI symptoms, Perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity of STI were significant factors associated with STI information-seeking. Students' STI information-seeking behavior could be improved by increasing digital literacy and enhancing computer and internet access.