Knowledge and Practice of Adolescents in a Mixed Secondary School in Delta State towards Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Author(s):

Ogwu Robinson Onyekachi, Uwaezuoke Angelica, Jombo Sunday Emmanuel, Ilikannu Samuel Okwuchukwu*, Ilikannu Chikodili Ogugua, Obu Ifeoma Sylvia, Dogbanya Gabriel, Igibah Christian Osemudiamen and Obua Ikechukwu

Background: Sexual activity among adolescents who are unaware of how to prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) is of public health importance because they can be asymptomatic with long-term deleterious effects on their sexual and reproductive health.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of adolescents towards sexually transmitted infections.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design and systematic sampling technique was used in this study. The data collection was analysed using IBM SPSS version 26. p-value <0.05 was accepted as statistically significant and results were presented in tables.

Results: More females (60.1%) participated in the study. Most respondents were aged between 13-15 and 16-19 (48.9%), 47 (20.2%) respondents were sexually active and of this number, most (38.3%) had their first sex between the ages of 16 and 19. 80.7% were aware of the benefits of condoms but only 9% used them. Respondents used mostly drugs (48.5%) and prayers (36.4%) to protect against STIs. The majority correctly identified common STIs while 12.4% incorrectly reported malaria as sexually transmitted. Infertility (56.2%), abdominal pain (45.9%) and abnormal discharge from private parts (56.2%) were recognized by the respondents as complications that can follow STI.

Conclusion: Findings from this study reveal that most adolescents were aware of the symptoms, causes and complications of STIs. However, there is still a need to emphasize correct protection practices against STIs.