The awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among secondary school adolescents in Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the level of awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among secondary school adolescents in Enugu East local government area, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional design. Three hundred and seventy-two adolescents selected from public and private secondary schools in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu state were recruited for the study using a simple random sampling technique. A total of 90% respondents were aware of sexually transmitted infections. 30% of those surveyed in the majority admitted to receive their news from radio and/or television. In general, the most popularly known type of STI amongst the population were HIV, 52.3% and gonorrhoea, 20%. From the study, the most popularly known modes of transmission were unprotected sexual intercourse, 56% and the three most known symptoms in decreasing order of importance were discharge from the genitals, 31%; body rashes, 20.7%; and painful urination, 15%. Overall, a greater percentage of 60% of the respondents had a good knowledge of sexually transmitted infections, and the rest had fair and no knowledge at all of sexually transmitted infections. The study concluded from survey findings that secondary school adolescents in Enugu East Local Government Area are mostly aware of sexually transmitted infections. Beyond HIV/AIDS, attention should be given to other STIs like Trichomonas, Gonorrhoea, and Herpes Simplex Virus.