KNOWLEDGE OF COMMON SYMPTOMS, RISK PERCEPTION AND TREATMENT BEHAVIOUR OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG STUDENTS OF THE POLYTECHNIC, IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

Current evidence shows that the surge of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is of public health importance. In Nigeria, about 3 million cases of STIs are reported annually with the highest rates observed among young people. Most studies done in the past among students in tertiary institutions were conducted in health facilities and among university students; there is a dearth of information on STIs among polytechnic students. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the knowledge of common symptoms, risk perception and treatment behaviour of STIs among students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey which involved the use of a four-stage sampling technique to select 401 students from 10 Departments across the five Faculties of the Institution. A quantitative method of data collection was adopted. A validated self-administered semi-structured questionnaire developed from relevant literature was used to obtain data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of STIs, risk perception, sexual behaviours and treatment preferences of the students. Overall knowledge of STIs was assessed using a 14-item instrument with a total score of 20, scores ≤ 9 were categorised as poor while scores ≥10 were categorised as good. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi square tests at p=0.05 level of significance Respondents’ mean age was 22.0±3.4 years, 61.8% were males and almost all (95.0%) were single. Only 11.5% of the students had knowledge of at least two common symptoms of STIs. Few (18.7%) had good knowledge of STIs with overall mean knowledge score of 5.9±3.6. Only few (14.2%) considered themselves to be at risk of contracting STIs. Majority (65.3%) were sexually active in the last 12 months; while 26.7% of all the students had slept with more than one person in the last six months. Only 23.1% of single sexually active students used condom regularly. About 18.7% of the students had experienced one or more STI symptoms in the last 12 months; the most prevalent being pain during urination (7.7%). Majority (73.3%) reported that they would visit a health facility for treatment if they contracted an STI; majority (67.6%) also said they would act within one week. There were no significant associations between gender and knowledge of common STI symptoms; and between condom use and risk perception of contacting STIs. However, there were significant associations between gender and reported prevalence of STI symptoms; and between having multiple sex partners and the risk perception of contracting STIs. Knowledge and risk perception of STIs was low, STIs and risky sexual behaviours existed among students, and majority will prefer to adopt the appropriate STI treatment behaviour if they become infected. These results emphasise the need to provide students with more information about STIs with the aim of influencing their self-perceived risk and sexual behaviour. Also, practicable steps should be taken to address factors that may prevent young people from adopting appropriate treatment behaviours.