Perceptions of sexual behavior and knowledge on sexually transmitted infections among the undergraduate students of a university in north western Nigeria.

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges that face Nigerians is the spread of Human Immunodefiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Sexually active youths in Nigeria are at high-risk of HIV infection. Many youths engaged in behaviors that place them at risk for HIV infections and other STIs. Objective: To determine the perceptions of sexual behavior and knowledge of STIs among undergraduate students of A.B.U Zaria. Method: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out on undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. A structured self administered questionnaire was used to collect data by systematic random sampling technique. Focus group discussions were also held. Data from questionnaires were analyzed by use of computer software, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 16.0 and ones from focus group discussions by content analysis. Result: The mean age of respondents was 25.5yrs ( 5.4). Ratio of males to female respondents was 2:1. Three hundred and thirteen questionnaires were returned filled out of the 320 distributed giving response rate of 97.8 per cent. Most of the respondents 98.4 per cent knew about some of the causes of STIs by name. About 10.2 per cent actually had an experience of at least an STI while 8.0 per cent took treatment for it. However, discussants revealed that sexual intercourse among the students in ABU, Zaria was very rampant. Students had perception that some of their colleagues might have been infected with HIV or other STDs (89.5%) and some of them saw that as curse (15.0%). Protective measures taken against STIs included abstinence from sex (67.7%), cut down number of sex partners (19.2%), use condoms all the time and sometimes (26.2% and 5.4%, respectively), screened for HIV infection (22.0%), stopped patronizing barbing saloons that do not sterilize their instruments (36.7%), had been careful where to take injections (43.8%) etc. About 8.6 per cent practice casual sex for certain reasons as pleasure (6.4%), financial (2.2%). Conclusion: There is an urgent need to increase the proportion of the students in particular and public in general who have correct knowledge about STIs, promote, positive perceptions and behavior as well as skills to protect themselves adequately.