Assessment of Factors Associated with Increased Number of Sexually Transmitted Infection Cases among the Youth in Serenje Urban District, Zambia

Abstract

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections among the youth are of paramount concern to all people who work on improving the health status of populations worldwide as the highest reported rates of sexually transmitted infections are found among the people between 15-24 years of age which predispose them to infertility, general ill-health, pelvic inflammatory diseases in women, three-fold HIV transmission with mother-to-child sexually transmitted infections resulting in still births, neonatal deaths, prematurity, sepsis, pneumonia, congenital deformities and other morbidities. Therefore the study aimed to assess the factors associated with increased number of sexually transmitted cases in the youth of Serenje Urban District, Zambia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 138 youth of Serenje urban district selected using simple random sampling technique. The data were collected using a structured, pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Chi square and multivariate logistical regression analyses were employed through SPSS version 22 to assess and identify factors associated with increased sexually transmitted cases in the youth of Serenje urban district. Odds Ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of association. In the multivariate analysis, variables with p-value less than 5% were considered as statistically associated, association between covariates and sexually transmitted infections. Results: The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among the youth of Serenje Urban District was found to be 55%. About 47.8% of the respondents had high knowledge levels on STIs, 60% had multiple sexual partners, 34.8% used condom during the last intercourse, 27.5% experienced sexual coercion and 24.5% utilized youth friendly services. Most (43.5%) respondents in this study had poor practices towards STI prevention. Service related such as lack of consumable for STI treatment (92%) and erratic supply ........