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 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.
Sexually transmitted diseases usually affect initially the genitals, the reproductive tract, the urinary tract, the oral cavity, the anus, or the rectum but may mature in the body to attack various organs and systems. Tertiary syphilis, or paresis, for example, may affect skin, bones, the central nervous system, the heart, the liver, or other organs. Persons infected by an AIDS virus may remain outwardly healthy for years before the disease takes hold within the immune system. Sexually transmitted diseases have a long history. The best known of these diseases, syphilis, is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
Gonorrhea was named by the Greek physician Galen and is thought to have been known to the ancient Chinese and Egyptians. A disease that became especially widespread beginning in the 1960s and ’70s was genital herpes. Herpes infections are significant not only in terms of the discomfort they cause but also for the potentially serious illness that might occur in infants born to mothers with genital herpes infections. A variety of treatments have been used for genital herpes, but none have been entirely satisfactory.( Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008)
The sexually transmitted disease that caused perhaps the greatest alarm in the late 20th century was acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. From the time of its first clear identification in 1981, AIDS spread rapidly, with reported cases rising at a high rate, especially among homosexuals and intravenous drug users in the United States and Western Europe and among heterosexuals in tropical Africa. The high mortality rate from AIDS and the absence of a cure or vaccine against the disease had a sobering effect on sexually permissive societies. Nearly a score of other sexually transmitted diseases are known. All have reasonably effective drug cures. About half of all cases of urethritis that are not gonorrhea are chlamydia, which is caused by an infection with Chlamydia trachomas.
Males may have irritation of the glans or skin of the penis. Because this yeast is ubiquitous in the environment, these infections are not always sexually acquired. Warts occurring in the genital areas are caused by certain types of papilloma viruses, and these types of warts can be transmitted to other people by sexual contact. Most often, genital warts are nothing more than a nuisance, but occasionally they can become so numerous or so large as to interfere with urination, bowel movements, or vaginal delivery. There is also mounting evidence that papilloma viral infections of the genital tract are a factor in the development of cancer of the cervix and possibly of the genitals themselves. The people were generally inhibited and did not openly express their opinions and views pertaining to love, marriage and sex. Moreover, it is considered a taboo for teachers and parents to talk with students/children about sexual matters, such as sexual relationships, and STDs in schools as well as at home because of cultural and religious barriers.
In addition, the issue of sex is at present the subject matter of youth club programmes, television show, art work and public laws. As a matter of fact, there is more divestment and nudity in advertisements, magazines, television show and movies pointing to a general trend to get liberated attitudes and values which promote open discussions of human sexuality that were once considered a taboo. This kind of permissive environment has influenced people to have liberal and permissive attitudes and behaviours towards sexuality both in premarital and extra-marital affairs. The sensitivity of sexuality and youth behavior seems to obstruct education on STDs despite the fact that there is now a stronger commitment to address STDs in schools.
It has been established that sexual promiscuity is on increase among adolescents and especially students but it will be nebulous to conclude that male students in secondary schools have better knowledge and attitude towards sexually transmitted diseases than their female counterparts. A research carried out in India indicates that the knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases and other STIs among adolescent girls in schools is poor when compared to boys (India report, 2005).
Therefore, in Nsukka Education Zone where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to investigate the Knowledge and Attitude of Secondary School Students towards Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that adolescents, especially those in secondary schools are likely to engage in risky sexual practices and this increase their chances of contacting sexually transmitted diseases or infections. It is no longer an old tale about the existence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as it used to be relegated as superstitious. Just like the popular slogan that “AIDS is real” similarly, sexually transmitted diseases abound but the problem is that adolescents and especially, secondary school students who indulge in sexual practices seem to have little or no knowledge of STDs and the right attitude towards it.
In a bid to explore and experiment on sex and its related activities, adolescents seemingly lurk in total ignorance of the existence, symptoms, mode of transmission, control and right attitude towards sexually transmitted diseases. However, ignorance, they said, is not an excuse to grave consequences of contacting STDs. Sequel to the above statement, the problem of this study simply addressed in a question form is;
- What do adolescents in secondary schools know on the symptoms, mode of transmission and control of sexually transmitted diseases?
- Also, what is the attitude of secondary school students in Nsukka Education zone towards STDs?
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to find out the level of Secondary School Students Knowledge and Attitude towards Sexually Transmitted Diseases. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To ascertain the level of knowledge of students on the signs and symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases;
- To find out the extent to which the students know of the mode of transmission;
- To ascertain their knowledge of the control of Sexually Transmitted Diseases;
- To find out the attitude of students towards STDs; and
- To determine the influence of gender on students level of knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
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:
- What is the level of knowledge of students on the signs and symptoms of STDs?
- To what extent do students know the modes of transmission of STDs?
- To what extent are students aware of the control of STDs?
- What are the students’ attitudes towards STDs?
- What are the influences of gender on students’ level of knowledge of STDs?
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.
- H01: There is no significant difference between the mean responses of male and female students on their knowledge of various STDs.
- H02: There is no significant difference between the mean scores on attitude of students towards STDs based on gender.
1.7 Significance of Study
The findings of this study if published will be of immense benefits to the ministry of Education, teachers, parents, curriculum developers and the general public.
It is hoped that the findings of this study will spur the Federal Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to articulate effective programmes on sex education for Secondary School Students. It is hoped that these ministries will train and equip peer educators who will further educate secondary school students on the right knowledge and attitude towards sexually transmitted diseases; steering through it’s related health hazards and consequences.
The study will also help teachers and counselors to know and acknowledge students knowledge and attitude to sexually transmitted diseases and how best they can help students in the area of sexuality.
The result of the study will help to reawaken parents and teachers on their roles in educating the adolescents on sexual matters. It will at the same time help to challenge our adolescents to healthy sexual relationships in order to avoid contacting HIV virus and STDs, unwanted pregnancies and abortion among others.
To the general public, it is hoped that the findings of this study will; and especially Elders and the Clergy; they would also acknowledge their personal dispositions to guard the adolescents in words and action towards wholesome attitude and knowledge to sexually transmitted diseases.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on finding out the Knowledge and Attitude of Secondary School Students of Nsukka Educational Zone towards Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The study will investigate the students’ knowledge and attitude towards Sexually transmitted diseases, focusing on signs and symptoms, mode of transmission, and control.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- 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.
- 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).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
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:
It is an acronym for 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.
Antibiotic:
It is a substance, for example Penicillin that can destroy or prevent growth of other bacteria and cure infections.
Gonorrhea:
This is a disease caught by having sex with an infected person. An STD that affect the uncoils membrane particularly in the urinary tract and genital area. It can make urination painful and cause pus-liked discharge through the urinary tract.
