RISK FACTORS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG MARKET DWELLERS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

In low and middle income countries, over 300 million cases of STIs occur annually, and many go untreated because of lack of access to services. Subsequently, the untreated cases of STls results to deaths. Young people of colour are at disproportionate risk for STls. It is important to promote programmes that seek to lessen risky sexual behaviours by encouraging condom use, delay in sexual initiation, partner reduction, and early HIV testing and treatment. But research has shown that even when risk factors are equal, youth of colour are more at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This study investigated the awareness of risk factors of STls and presence of symptomatic self - reported STls among Market dwellers.

A cross - sectional design was adopted for the study, alongside KII and a sample size of 174 respondents were selected through a consecutive sampling technique. An interviewer administered questionnaire which was sub-divided into four sections was used to obtain data from individuals who were involved in business transactions. Data collected through questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi square test and logistic regression model at 5% level of significance.

Results indicated that a greater proportion of the respondents were males (81.3%). Majority (71.6%) of the participants studied engaged in Load carrying and lifting. The mean age was 25.24 ± 8.85 years.

Majority of the youths knew of the risk factors of ST!s just as reported by other researchers. Yet. the prevalence (30.1 %) of symptomatic STls in steadily on the increase. Multivariate analysis showed that living in the market (OR= 1.15; 95% CI: 0.42 - 3.17) is not statistically related to the presence of symptomatic self - reported ST! among the respondents. The worrisome aspect is that this group of people are usually cut off from STis including HIV/AIDS campaign programmes. First. this is because their activities hardly come to light as they basically carry or lift loads and goods in the market. Secondly. they do not operate in an organised form so as to make them accessible for intervention efforts. Thirdly. the environment within which they operate as place of work and sleeping place will generally not expose them to general public campaign programmes through the electronic and print media except for the use of dry cell battery radio which is readily available in most markets. Overall. the prevalence of symptomatic self- reported STls was 45.9%.

The results suggest that the adverse social and economic factors associated with perpetuation on a cycle of poverty which push many of these youths out of school should be attacked. A similar recommendation is required for other respondents in this study other than the youth not-in-school. It equally suggests that the respondents require a well organised and specifically targeted peer-educational programmes which includes an accessible and functional Youth friendly Health Services Centre.