A Anastasiadis^1,2*, A Koumousidis¹, M Varras², N Vrachnis¹, G Paltoglou¹, N Tzoumas¹, L Top¹, S Dimopoulos¹, A Deltsidou^2,4, N Salakos<sup>1

1</sup> Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Aretaieio Hospital – Family Planning Unit, Greece ² Forth Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology “Helena Venizelou” General Hospital – Maternity, Athens, Greece ³ Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology “Helena Venizelou” General Hospital – Maternity, Athens, Greece ⁴ Midwifery Department, T.E.I. of Athens, Greece

Abstract

Introduction: Every sexually active person is in danger of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Younger adults, being more literate, should be better familiarized with the various methods of protection against STDs as well as traditional and modern contraception methods. Our purpose was to investigate and compare the awareness of 18- to 45-year-old adults from urban and rural areas on sexual and reproductive health issues and to establish any potential new strategies for its best promotion. Materials & methods: Two hundred individuals coming from either our capital, which represents the purest urban dimension of our Greek lifestyle spectrum, or one specifically selected, as a characteristic opposite nonurban dimension in our lifestyle scale, rural town were stratified randomly and answered a three-part closed-ended questionnaire. Results: Useful results were extracted, like, for example, although 29.5% reported that they were in a committed relationship and trusted traditional methods of contraception and protection from STDs, like condoms, 18% out of them have not been regularly using it. Moreover, the percentage of hormonal contraception was low (9%). The younger the people and the more the urban lifestyle they have adopted, the less cautious they are of theirchoice of sexual partners. Men still seem to be alternating between sexual partners and perform ‘one-night stands’ more frequently than women. The study assesses the awareness of sexual and reproductive health issues in urban and rural areas. Conclusion:  The awareness on sex and reproduction is not developed as we would expect from our adequate standard of living before the years of economic crisis (<2010). We noticed many cases of fragmentary information, false view and high-risk sexual behaviour. Moreover, mainland residents seem to be less informed about the current data of STDs and contraception, even though their behaviour is less risky.

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