ABSTRACT
The study was
carried out to assessed the Knowledge and Perception of Sexually Transmitted
Diseases of Some Tertiary Institutions In Yobe State, Nigeria The Objectives of
the study are, to assess the level of knowledge on STDs among the students of
high institutions in Yobe, to determine the perception of the students of
tertiary institutions in Damaturu towards STDs. to assess the practice of the
students regarding STDs, to determine some of the factors associated with
knowledge, perception and practice among the students of tertiary institutions
of Yobe State, Nigeria. A Multistage technique was
used to select classes of students from the tertiary institutions and simple
random sample technique was used to select a total population sample of four
hundred (400) students. A structured
questionnaire was used to obtain data. Obtained data were summarized using
chi-square The results of the study indicated that the largest age group
of respondents is 20-25 years (45.2%),
followed by 16-20 years (27.5%), 26-30 years (22.2%), and a small percentage
aged 30-35 years (5.1%). Age 20-25 are at high risk due to increased sexual
activity and lack of protective behaviors. A significant majority of
respondents are single (65.2%), with 28.7% married, and smaller percentages
being divorced (3.1%), widowed (0.7%), or separated (2.2%).with larger
proportion of the population are single and can easily indulge in sexual
activities without adequate knowledge. The single status correlates with
greater autonomy and lower social constraints which can influences lifestyle
choices, leading to increased opportunity for sexual activity with social and psychological
influence. Awareness Levels: 83.1% are aware of HIV/AIDS, but knowledge of
other STDs like Gonorrhea (45.7%) and Syphilis (51.2%) is significantly lower,
suggesting effective public health campaigns for HIV/AIDS. This disparity
suggest that PH messaging have disproportionately focused on HIV/AIDS at the
expense of broader sexual health education. It was concluded that student of
tertiary institution have knowledge and perception gaps, emphasizing the need
for stakeholders to address these issues to ensure healthier and more
prosperous students in line with universal health coverage goals. It reveals
that younger populations (ages 16-25) are at higher risk for STDs due to increased
sexual activity and lower protective behaviors, with males showing a higher
prevalence of risk behaviors, though females remain vulnerable due to
biological and socioeconomic factors. It is recommended that Sexual
educational programs with focus of addressing knowledge gaps and promoting safe
sexual practices addressing
vulnerabilities of Male and Females, for males intervention should focus on
risky behaviors, while for females, efforts should aim to empower them with
knowledge and access to reproductive health services, targeted with awareness
campaigns and easy access to STD testing and treatment facilities. For rural
areas, efforts should focus on improving healthcare access, providing mobile
clinics, and addressing cultural barriers to sexual health education, public health
campaigns should emphasize the importance of early testing and treatment for
STDs, particularly among single individuals and those in transitional education
phases.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover page………………………………………………………………………………………...i
Tittle page………………………………………………………………………………….……...ii
Declaration………………………………………………………………………………………..iii
Dedication………………………………………………………………………………….…..…iv
Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………….. .…...v
Abstract………………………………………………………………………….…………..……vi
Table of contents………………………………………………………………………….……...vii
List of tables……………………………………………………………………………….……viii
Chapter 1
1.0 introduction……………………………………………………………………………….…...1
1.1 Background of the study………………………………………………………………………2
1.2 Statement of the problem……………………………………………………………………...4
1.3 Justification…………………………………………………………………………………....4
1,4 Scope of study…………………………………………………………………………………5
1.5 General Objectives of the study……………………………………………………………….5
1,6 Specific Objective……………………………………………………………………………..5
1.4 Research questions…………………………………………………………………….………6
1.5 Significance of the study………………………………………………………………………6
Chapter 2
2.0 Literature Review……………………………………………………………………………...7
2.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………7
2.2 Causes of sexually transmitted diseases ………………………………………………..8
2.3 The burden and the challenge ……...…………………………………………………...8
2.4 Transmission of STDs …………………………………………………………………....15
2.4.1 Factors affecting
transmission……………………………………………………….16
2.5 Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS)……………………………………………..19
2.5.1
Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS…………………………………………………………………………20
2.6
Clincal Feature……………………………………………………………………………………………..21
2.7
Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS………………………………………………………………………………….24
2.8
Management of HIV/AIDs…………………………………………………………………………….24
2.8.1 Control of
STDs………………………………………………………………………………………….26
2.9
Empirical review on knowledge and perceptions of sexual behavior among
youths……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….30
2.10
Empirical review on knowledge and perceptions of sexual behavior among
youths……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….33
Chapter 3
3.1 Study Area…………………………………………………………………….…………….36
3.2 Study Design…………………………………………………………….…………………..37
3.3 Study Population………………………………………………………………….……........37
3.4 Sample Size……………………………………………………………….……...................37
3.5 Sample technique……………………………………………………………………………37
3.6 Inclusion Criteria…………………………………………………………………………….37
3.7 Exclusion Criteria……………………………………………………………………………37
3.8 Data Collection Instrument………………………………………………………………….38
3.9 Reliability ……………………………………………………………….………………….38
3.10 Validity of instrument ……………………………………………………………………38
3.11 Method of data collection…………………………………………………………….…...39
3.12 Method of data analysis………………………………………………………….………..39
3.13 Ethical consideration………………………………………………….…………………….39
Chapter 4
4.1 Demographic Characteristics of Respondents ………………………………………...…40
4.2 Knowledge of STD…………………………………………………………………..……..
41
4.3 Risk Perception of STDs …………………………………………………………………
…44
Chapter 5
5.0 Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation………………………………………………46
5.1 Discussion of findings………………………………………………………………………..46
5.2 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………...56
5.3 Recommendation. …………………………………………………………………………...57
5.6 Suggestion
For Further Studies………………………………………….…………………...58
Reference………………………………………………………………………………………...59Questionnaire…………………………………………………………………………………….75
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study
Premarital sexual intercourse among
Nigerian undergraduates is rampant (Akpeli,
2019; Bolori and Aliyu, 2010). Almost three quarters of the
students in Nigerian Universities were found to be sexually active according to
a study conducted in one of the universities in the northwestern region of
Nigeria (Jibril
etal., 2022). The importance of perception and
knowledge of sexually transmitted infections cannot be overemphasized
especially among the students. The importance of orienting the students about
sexually transmitted infections and sexual health and safe sexual practices
cannot be overemphasized for the fact that it will enhance prevention and
control of STIs (Subbarao
& Akhilesh, 2017a). Sexually transmitted infections are
also referred to as sexually transmitted disease, STDs are diseases caused by
infections with certain bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that passed
from one person to another through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or other body
fluids, during oral, anal, or genital sex with an infected partner (Colditz,
2015; Subbarao & Akhilesh, 2017b). These diseases can also be spread
through sharing needles, blood transfusions, breastfeeding, or from an infected
mother to an infant during pregnancy and childbirth. Sexually transmitted
infections are characterized symptoms such as sores, blisters, or bumps on or
around the genitals or in the mouth or rectal area, pain or burning during
urination or sex, unusual discharge or bleeding through the penis or vagina,
itching and redness in the genital or anal area, pain in the lower abdomen,
fever, swollen lymph nodes, especially in the groin. Examples of sexually
transmitted infections include human papillomavirus (HPV), HIV, genital herpes,
chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis (Colditz,
2015). If left untreated, sexually
transmitted infections may lead to severe and chronic health concerns.
Aside from ignorance, there are
several other factors which may lead to the indiscriminate or careless
sexuality among undergraduates such as peer pressure, campus hypes, influence
of mass-media, information technology, changing modes and erosion of
traditional customs and social norms. Reportedly, the commonest reasons for
having unprotected sex included not planning to have sex, a preference for unprotected
sex, and difficulty using contraception (Subbarao
& Akhilesh, 2017b). Youth who engage in early sexual
activity are more likely to practice risky sexual behaviors, such as multiple
sexual partners and incorrect or inconsistent condom use. As a result, they are
more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infection (STIs), including HIV/AIDS,
unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, early childbirth, and psychosocial
problems (Subbarao
& Akhilesh, 2017b). These problems are the greatest
threats to health and wellbeing of the youth. Over a million people acquire a
sexually transmitted infection (STI) on a daily basis, globally. Each year, an
estimate 357 million new infections with one of the four STIs globally:
chlamydia (131 million), gonorrhoea (78 million), syphilis (5.6 million) or
trichomoniasis (143 million) (Oluwole
et al., 2020). The United Nations defines
youths as those aged between 15 and 24 years. They are the ones in the
transition period, from the dependent phase of childhood to the interdependence
of adulthood. Sexually transmitted infections are common among young people
especially those aged between 15 and 24 years with approximately 20 million new
cases of STIs yearly in the United States.
1.2 Statement
of the problem
The prevalence of
premarital and extramarital sexual activities among students in higher
education institutions in Yobe State is alarmingly high. This trend poses
significant risks, including the spread of sexually transmitted infections
(STIs), unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and various reproductive
health issues. Many young individuals in these institutions lack the necessary
knowledge, positive attitudes, and practices to effectively prevent STIs or to
seek appropriate care if they become infected.
Furthermore, there is a critical lack
of information regarding the existing gaps in students' knowledge, attitudes,
and practices, which has hindered stakeholders in Yobe from taking effective
action to mitigate the impact of STIs among the student population. If these
issues remain unaddressed, STIs will continue to proliferate in Yobe, further
harming the youth and exacerbating the already significant challenges faced by
the healthcare sector.
1.3
Justification
There is a need to establish the
statistics regarding the knowledge and perception of STDs among students in
Yobe. The insight gained from the findings of this study will make enhance students,
policy makers and other stakeholders to devise effective strategies and plan
aimed at preventing and combating the menace of STIs that face our youths
today. The study will give room for further research on this topic and serve as
a substructure for future references beneficial to researchers, academicians,
and field workers because it will provide them with evidence-based
documentation.
1.4
Scope of the study
The study will be limited to
collection of factual information as a snapshot to enhance the assessment of
the perception and knowledge of STIs among students in tertiary institutions in
Yobe province where there is paucity of baseline data on STIs. Research will be
limited to data collection using a questionnaire and discussion guide for
focused group discussion in representative of a purposely selected institution
of higher learning within Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state within the
shortest period possible in the year 2023.
1.5
General objective
To Assess the Knowledge and
perception of STD among students in some tertiary institutions in Damaturu,
Yobe State, Nigeria.
1.6
Specific objectives
-
To assess the level of knowledge on STDs among the students of high
institutions in Yobe.
-
To determine the perception of the students of tertiary institutions in
Damaturu towards STDs.
-
To assess the practice of the students regarding STDs.
-
To determine some of the factors associated with knowledge, perception and
practice among the students of tertiary institutions of Yobe State, Nigeria.
Research Questions.
The following research questions were
put forward to guide the study.
- What
is the level of knowledge on STDs among students in some selected tertiary
institution in Damaturu?
- What is the perception of students on
STDs
- What
are the risk factors associated with STDs?
Significance of the
Study
There is a need to establish the
statistic regarding the knowledge and perception of STDs among students in Yobe.
The insight gained from the findings of this study will make enhance
Individuals, policy makers and other stakeholders to devise effective
strategies and plan aimed at preventing and combating the menace of STIs that
face our youths today.
The study will give room for further
research on this topic and serve as a substructure for future references
beneficial to researchers, academicians, and field workers because it will
provide them with evidence-based documentation.
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