1.1 Introduction
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the infections which are mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse. Young individuals in the age group of 16 to 24 years are considered to be at more risk for STIs compared to older adults. Most of the people may be aware about HIV/AIDs because of the awareness created by media and the government programs; however knowledge about STIs other than HIV/AIDS is low in the developing countries. Young individuals are more likely to practice unprotected sex and have multiple sexual partners. Knowledge of STI and their complications and attitude of the young generation toward sexual health are important in planning preventive and treatment strategies (Upchurch et al., 2004). Most of the people may be aware about HIV/AIDs because of the awareness created by media and government programs; however, knowledge about STIs other than HIV/AIDS is low in the developing countries (Anwar et al., 2010).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Sexually transmitted infection (STI, venereal disease) are among the most common infectious disease in the United States today. Sexually transmitted diseases are sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted infection, since these conditions involve the transmission of an infectious organism between sex partners. More than 20 different STIs have been identified, and about 10 million men and women are infected each year in the United States, according to the CDC (2010).
Sexually transmitted disease has been known for hundreds of years and men and women of all ages and backgrounds, including children have been affected. But as we enter a new millennium, old age problems of the infectious diseases continue to plague us, very many have been eliminated, examples syphilis and tuberculosis, which increase faster than the terrifying of human population overcrowding, environmental degradation, and poverty often, inflate these diseases.
Many of these diseases may have arisen in the content of modern social trends, perhaps the most frightened is the HIV and many disease unknown before the last eight decades of the twentieth century. This currently incurable virus has already infected more than 50% of the ordinary young adults population imparts of the Sub-Sahara Africa and is rapidly spreading. However, syphilis is potentially one of the most controllable disease (STIs) this unlike tuberculosis which is transmitted mostly by sexual intercourse.
Even under these conditions, HIV is not nearly as transferable as some other STI e.g. hepatitis or gonorrhea. It is the cofactors of other STIs this largely explain the infectively and prevalence of HIV. The world bank estimated that STIs often easily treated, but if untreated principally, it affect the most economically productive section of the society young adult was the most effectives of the medical intervention. Anti-microbial treatment of some STIs is becoming problematic, some stain of gonorrhea are now resistant to all anti-biotic generally available in our countries.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to examine the Awareness and Prevention of STI among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the causes and effect of sexually transmitted disease (STD) which causes and disorders of the central nervous system, and also causes pelvic inflammatory diseases, which may cause a tuboorarian abscess. The abscess, in turn may lead to scarring of the reproductive organs, which can result in an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the uterus) infertility or even death for a woman.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Awareness and Prevention of STI among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine whether pregnant women are aware about STI history before having sex and to consider getting tested;
- To assist pregnant women in these localities discuss their sexual and STI history before having sex and to consider getting tested;
- To investigate the knowledge pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in the area under study possess about the spread of STIs;
- To investigate the factor pre-disposing sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic; and
- To consider the effect, means of prevention and treatments of sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there the factor pre-disposing sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic?
- Are pregnant women aware about STI history before having sex and to consider getting tested?
- Does abstinence from sex help pregnant women to prevent sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
- Does the use of anti-biotic help in the treatment of sexually transmitted disease pregnant women?
- Does sex education and voluntary counselling of the pregnant women aid in the prevention of sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
- What is knowledge possessed by pregnant women in the area under study about the spread of STIs?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant factor pre-disposing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in the area under study
- H1: There is a significant factor pre-disposing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in the area under study
1.7 Significance of Study
Sexually transmitted diseases is not what can be single handedly tackled, it is hoped that when study is concluded suggestions will be offered to rewards the preventive measures of these disease by viewing or looking at some of the factors that propagate sexually transmitted disease. This study will also be useful to researchers in the discovery of the possible treatment of sexually transmitted disease.
This study will be of immense benefit to academic students and other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Awareness and Prevention of STI among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic using Egor Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
STD: Sexually Transmitted Disease, Venereal Disease (VD) is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between humans or animals by means of sexual contact including oral sex or it is a disease that is passed from one person to another during sexual activity.
HIV: The Human Immuno Deficiency Virus. It is the virus which causes (AIDS) and the disease can be transmitted to others.
Syphilis: This is a disease that gets worse over a period of time, spreading from the sexual organs to the skin, bores muscles and brain.
