1.1 Introduction
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections transmitted primarily through sexual contact. These infections include a range of diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). STIs can have significant health consequences if not prevented or treated appropriately (WHO, 2021). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health concern, particularly among adolescents, who are often more vulnerable to engaging in risky sexual behaviors due to a lack of comprehensive sexual education and inadequate access to health services. Secondary school students, being in their formative years, are particularly at risk of contracting STIs due to early initiation of sexual activities and peer pressure (WHO, 2021). Adolescents are less likely to utilize preventive measures such as condoms or seek proper medical attention when they experience symptoms of STIs, further exacerbating the issue (UNICEF, 2020).
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
In recent years, the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) studies have continued to provide valuable insights into the sexual health of secondary school students. Researchers have found that while awareness of STIs has generally increased due to public health campaigns, many adolescents still hold misconceptions about STI transmission and prevention (Adebayo & Ogun, 2021). Furthermore, attitudes towards STI prevention methods, such as condom use, are often influenced by cultural and religious beliefs, leading to inconsistent use of preventive measures (UNFPA, 2019). in the early 2000s, the focus on KAP studies became more widespread in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the burden of STIs, including HIV, was particularly high. Studies conducted in Nigeria and other parts of Africa began to reveal significant gaps in adolescent sexual health education, with many students lacking basic knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Infections and practicing unsafe sexual behaviors (Okonofua et al., 2003).
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant public health challenge globally, affecting millions of people each year. Adolescents, particularly those in secondary schools, represent a vulnerable group due to their developmental stage and exposure to various social, environmental, and peer influences. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one million STIs are acquired every day worldwide, with young people between the ages of 15 and 24 accounting for a substantial proportion of new infections (WHO, 2022). This makes the prevention of STIs a critical issue that requires targeted intervention, especially in schools.
In many developing countries, including Nigeria, the prevalence of STIs among adolescents is on the rise, exacerbated by a lack of proper sexual health education and access to healthcare services. Adolescents often face challenges such as limited knowledge about STIs, misconceptions about modes of transmission, and social stigma, which hinder open discussions about sexual health (Adebayo & Ogun, 2021). Furthermore, studies have shown that students' attitudes towards sexual health are shaped by cultural and religious beliefs, often resulting in risky sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex, that increase their vulnerability to STIs (Nwankwo et al., 2020).
The importance of understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of adolescents towards the prevention of STIs cannot be overstated. KAP studies provide insight into how much students know about STIs, their attitudes towards preventive measures, and the actions they take to protect themselves (UNICEF, 2021). In particular, these surveys can help identify gaps in sexual health education, informing policies aimed at improving STI prevention programs in secondary schools. Despite various global and local efforts to raise awareness about STIs and promote safer sexual practices, gaps remain in many communities, particularly among adolescents in low-resource settings (Adeoye et al., 2022).
Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) surveys are vital tools used to assess students' awareness and perceptions regarding STIs. They help to understand how well-informed students are about the risks and prevention of these infections. KAP studies have shown that even when students are aware of the existence of STIs, there are significant gaps in knowledge about specific prevention methods, such as the use of condoms and regular STI screening (CDC, 2022). Additionally, cultural and social norms may influence attitudes towards discussing sexual health openly, which can limit students' access to accurate information and preventive resources (Adebayo et al., 2023). Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the knowledge, attitude, and practice of prevention of sexually transmitted infections among secondary school students.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that there are prevailing negative attitudes towards STI prevention. Cultural taboos, religious beliefs, and misconceptions about sexual health often make it difficult for students to engage in open discussions about STIs. This stigma is discouraging many adolescents from seeking proper information, using condoms, or getting tested, further exacerbating the issue (UNICEF, 2020). These attitudes are deeply ingrained, leading to a lack of willingness among students to adopt safe sexual practices even when they are aware of the risks (Adebayo & Ogun, 2021).
The practice of STI prevention among secondary school students is being hindered by inadequate sexual health education. Many schools either do not include comprehensive sexual health in their curriculum or provide outdated and insufficient information. As a result, students are often ill-equipped to make informed decisions about their sexual health, putting them at greater risk of contracting STIs (UNFPA, 2019). Without adequate knowledge and skills to prevent STIs, adolescents remain vulnerable to the growing sexually transmitted infections epidemic.
Additionally, limited access to sexual health services for adolescents is contributing to the problem. In many regions, secondary school students are facing barriers such as a lack of youth-friendly health centers, privacy concerns, and financial constraints, all of which are preventing them from accessing testing, treatment, and prevention tools. This is particularly problematic in rural or underserved areas, where health services are scarce, and students are left without the resources needed to protect themselves from STIs (Adeoye et al., 2022). It is against the backdrop that this study seeks to address these problems by examining the knowledge, attitude, and practice of prevention of sexually transmitted infections among secondary school students.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of prevention of sexually transmitted infections among secondary school students. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To assess the attitudes of secondary school students towards sexual health and STI prevention measures, including condom use and seeking medical care.
- To identify the factors influencing students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning STIs, such as cultural, religious, and socio-economic factors.
- To evaluate the level of knowledge among secondary school students about the causes, transmission, and prevention of STIs.
- To examine the practices of secondary school students regarding sexually transmitted infection prevention, including their use of protective measures and participation in health-seeking behaviors.
- To recommend interventions that could improve sexual health education and reduce the prevalence of STIs among secondary school students.
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 among secondary school students about the causes, transmission, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
- What are the attitudes of secondary school students towards STI prevention methods, such as condom use and regular testing?
- What are the common practices among secondary school students regarding the prevention of STIs?
- What factors influence the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of secondary school students towards the prevention of STIs?
- How can sexual health education programs be improved to enhance STI prevention among secondary school students?
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 a significant relationship between the level of knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the practice of STI prevention among secondary school students.
- H02: Attitudes towards sexual health and STI prevention significantly influence the adoption of safe sexual practices among secondary school students.
1.7 Significance of Study
The outcome realized from the research findings will be significant to the following stakeholders:
- Students: It will equip secondary school students with better knowledge and understanding of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), enabling them to make informed decisions and adopt safer sexual practices, thus reducing their risk of contracting STIs.
- Teachers: It will provide teachers with valuable insights into the gaps in students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding STI prevention, helping them to tailor sexual health education programs more effectively.
- Parents and Guardians: It will raise awareness among parents and guardians about the importance of discussing sexual health with their children, fostering an environment where open conversations about sexually transmitted infections prevention are encouraged at home.
- Healthcare Providers: It will offer healthcare providers information about the sexual health needs and behaviors of adolescents, helping them design youth-friendly services and outreach programs focused on STI prevention.
- Policymakers: It will aid policymakers in developing or revising sexual health policies and education curricula to better address the challenges faced by adolescents in sexually transmitted infections prevention, ensuring more effective health interventions in schools.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of prevention of sexually transmitted infections among secondary school students using some selected schools in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State as a case study.
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.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this research work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- 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
Knowledge:
In the context of this study, knowledge refers to the awareness and understanding of secondary school students about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including their causes, symptoms, transmission routes, and prevention methods (WHO, 2021). It encompasses factual information and educational content that students have acquired through formal instruction or informal sources.
Attitude:
Attitude denotes the feelings, beliefs, and predispositions that secondary school students hold towards STI prevention practices, such as the use of condoms and regular STI testing. It reflects how these attitudes influence their willingness to engage in preventive behaviors and seek information or medical care related to sexual health (UNICEF, 2020).
