Abstract
BackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are of public health importance as over 1 million STIs are acquired daily worldwide. One-third of the new cases of curable STIs affect younger persons aged less than 25 years. Sexually transmitted infections can lead to severe complications beyond the immediate impact of infections as such.AimThis study assessed knowledge of, attitude towards and preventive practices of STI among young unmarried persons in Surulere local government area (LGA) of Lagos State, Nigeria.SettingThe study was conducted among young unmarried persons in Surulere LGA, Lagos State, Nigeria, between June and November 2018.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 young unmarried persons selected using a multistage sampling technique. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data. Analysis was carried out with Epi-Info 7.2.2.2 software. Chi-square was used to test for associations. Level of significance was at p ≤ 0.05.ResultsThe mean age was 19.9 + 2.5 years. Majority of the respondents (84.7%) had heard of STIs. About two-third (65.6%) had good knowledge, while majority (98.6%) had good attitude towards the prevention of STIs, but less than half (34.0%) had good preventive practices. Knowledge of STI was statistically significantly associated with age, level of education, attitude and preventive practices of the respondents.ConclusionMost of the respondents were aware and had good attitude towards prevention of STI, but gaps exist in knowledge and preventive practices. Hence, targeted education to improve the knowledge and preventive practices against STI among young unmarried persons is recommended.
Highlights
Worldwide, over a million people acquire a sexually transmitted infection (STI) daily
Transmitted infections are common among young people, with approximately 20 million new cases of STIs being reported every year in the United States, of which the majority occur among people aged between 15 and 24 years.[4]
Majority of the respondents (85.8%) knew that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a type of STI; a few believed that diarrhoea (23.9%), sickle cell disease (26.7%), tuberculosis (25.4%) and malaria (18.3%) were examples of STIs
Summary
Over a million people acquire a sexually transmitted infection (STI) daily. Young people are at high risk of getting an STI for the following reasons: young women’s bodies are biologically more prone to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), lack of access to healthcare, confidentiality concerns and multiple sexual partners, among others.[4] The Nigerian National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) in 2008 reported that 16% of young women and 6% of young men aged between 15 and 24 years had sexual debut before the age of 15 years. Transmitted infections (STIs) are of public health importance as over 1 million STIs are acquired daily worldwide. Transmitted infections can lead to severe complications beyond the immediate impact of infections as such
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