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Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Kaduna State University Students.
Corresponding Author(s) : Hadiza Sani
Journal of Health Sciences and Practice,
Vol. 1 No. 3 (2023): The Journal of Health Sciences and Practice (JHSP)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Sexually transmitted disorders (STI) are infections caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites that are spread through sexual contact. Transmission may be through genitals (commonly), anal or oral routes. It is a significant health problem seen in the sexually active/reproductive age group and spans across different socio-economic, regional/cultural and geographical variations.1
Methodology
This was a cross sectional descriptive study. A total of 257 undergraduate students were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Variables were presented by means of frequency tables, quantitative data was summarized using mean and standard deviation and bivariate analysis was carried out using chi-square to test for associations between independent and dependent variables. The level of statistical significance was set at p-value of <0.05%.
Results
The mean age of the respondents was 21±3.2 years. About two-third of the respondents were females (66%). More than three-quarters are aware of STIs but only one-tenth of the respondents have a good knowledge. The commonest STIs known by the respondents were HIV (84.7%) and gonorrhea (78.8%). Unprotected sexual encounter was identified as the most common route of transmission (96.7%). Only one-tenth of the participants know that some STIs can present without symptoms. Two-third of the respondents used condoms and one quarter had a past history of STIs. There was a statistically significant relationship between age of the respondents (p=0.0000); gender (p=0.019), attitude (p=0.001) and STIs. About two-fifths of the respondents underwent screening for STIs annually.
Conclusion
There is a poor knowledge and preventive attitude towards STIs despite a high rate of awareness in students in this university.