Assessing the Knowledge and Attitudes of Employed Men in Sainshand Regarding HIV/AIDS and STIs

Background: Globally, over 1 million people contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs) daily, with approximately 500 million new cases annually. In Mongolia, 13 STI pathogens are diagnosed and treated, with four HIV infections registered nationally. In Dornogobi Province, STI incidence from 2017–2019 (27.7%) exceeded the national average (21.9%), with men comprising 43–54% of cases. This study assesses the knowledge, attitudes, and sexual behaviors related to HIV/AIDS and STIs among employed men in Sainshand, Dornogobi Province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random sampling method, involving 246 employed men aged 19–59 from 23 organizations in Sainshand. Data were collected via a 24-question survey across five categories and analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: Participants’ mean age was 32.22 ± 19.9 years. Knowledge assessment revealed that 68.7% (n=169) correctly identified that fidelity reduces STI transmission risk, 66.7% (n=164) knew STIs cannot be identified by appearance, and 57.3% (n=141) understood that HIV is not transmitted through casual contact. Information sources included healthcare workers (45.1%, n=111), the internet (37.4%, n=92), and media (21.5%, n=53). Of respondents, 58.9% (n=145) had undergone STI testing, with 7.3% (n=18) receiving positive results. Over the past 12 months, 3.3% (n=8) reported abnormal genital discharge and 1.2% (n=3) reported sores. Condom use during casual sexual encounters was reported by 48% (n=118), with 20.3% (n=50) having multiple partners. Reasons for not using condoms included dislike (28.5%, n=70) and trust in partners (19.1%, n=47). Participation in STI/HIV prevention activities was reported by 45.9% (n=113). Conclusion: Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and STIs among employed men in Sainshand is inadequate, particularly among those aged 19–39. Low condom use and limited engagement in prevention activities highlight the need for enhanced, high-quality STI/HIV education programs in workplaces, with continuous evaluation of their impact.