KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOUR ABOUT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG OUT-OF-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN IBADAN NORTH WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Abstract

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is one of the diseases that plaques our world and it pose much threat to the adolescents. Though, there are few number of researches carried out on STIs among adolescents but it is most time one-sided as most of these researches are conducted only among females. This study, therefore, investigated the knowledge, experience and health seeking behaviour about sexually transmitted infections among out-of-school adolescents in Ibadan North West Local Government Area thereby putting into consideration both sexes. The study was a descriptive cross sectional survey that used a multi-stage sampling technique to select 240 out-of-school adolescents across five selected wards in Ibadan North West Local Government Area. A validated and reliable semi-structured questionnaire which contained a 14-point knowledge scale, 7-point perception scale, questions relating to factors predisposing them to STIs, their experience so far in sexually transmitted infections and the type of health seeking behaviour they practice when they contract STIs among out-of-school was used for data collection. Knowledge scores ≤4, 5-9 and >9 were classified as poor, fair, and good respectively. Perception scores ≤3 and >3 were categorised as unfavourable and favourable perception respectively. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test at p≤0.05. Respondents’ mean age was 18.9±3.4 years, 58.8% of the respondents were male, majority 83% were single, 55.8% were Christians, 63.3% had secondary education and the most common apprentice group was tailoring 24.5%. Mean knowledge score was 4.93±2.18; respondents with poor, fair and good knowledge of STIs were 45%, 52.9% and 2.1% respectively. 31.6%, 50.4% and 18% gave incorrect, partial and correct definition of STIs espectively. 26.4% mentioned HIV as the most common STI known. The mean perception score was 4.79±1.23 and 85% of the respondents had favourable perception as it pertains to STIs. 72.3% of the males and 68.6% of the females were sexually active; there was early sexual debut among the respondents especially the males. The revalence of STIs among the respondents was about 40% with 47.5% males and 28.3% females experienced one or more STI signs and symptoms, this could be due to the fact that STIs most times is asymptomatic in females. Self treatment emerged as the most common health seeking behaviour practiced among respondents as 39.8% males and 51.9% females were involved. Low and incorrect condom use, multiple sexual partners and alcohol intake were all factors predisposing the respondents’ to STIs. In conclusion, the knowledge of respondents on sexually transmitted infections was low, perception was favourable, the health seeking behaviour was poor and the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections was high. To adequately address the problem, effective education is necessary to combat ignorance of the out-of-school adolescents and also social marketing to promote the use of contraceptive.