The objective of this paper is to assess the extent of STD knowledge
and treatment seeking behavior and condom use among selected high risk
groups of population, notably, sailors and seaport laborers, trackers, and
female commercial sex workers (CWS), in three seaport cities in 1996: North
Jakarta. Surabaya. and Manado. The survey used a cross-sectional survey
design with a structured questionnaire to collect. through interview.
self-reported behavioral data related to STD/HIV A two-stage cluster sampling
was used to obtain sample of 200 to 400 respondents for each target group for
each city. Most of respondents aged between 20 and 40 years. had low
educational level. Two-rho-d of male respondents were married and the
majority of female CSW respondents were in divorced status. Respondents 'ST D
knowledge was limited to syphilis. gonorrhea, and AIDS The knowledge
seemed to refer more to the "word" rather than to the disease, mixing up the
word of syphilis or gonorrhea with other STDs. "Pain and hot when urinating"
was perceived as a symptom related to .ST D. The practice of ST D self treatment
was common. More than hay' Of those with STD related symptom sought
medical treatment, particularlv from private medical practice. Substantial
proportion of those with .ST D related symptom did not seen any medical
treatment About half of male respondents ever visited female CS Hi The result of
ever had STD was eight times higher for those who ever visited female CS W
than those who never visited female CSW. Among male respondents, use of
condom at last sexual contact with female CSW was very low, below ten
percent. Among female CSW respondents use of condom at their last sexual
Contact varied between cities and between localization and non-localization
from l5 to 50 percent, but consistent condom use was much lower, from one
to 25 percent.
