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. 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.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to examine the Impact of the Awareness and Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infection among Adolescent using Warri-South Local Government Area in Delta State, Nigeria as a case study.
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 Impact of the Awareness and Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infection among Adolescent using Warri-South Local Government Area in Delta State, Nigeria as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine whether adolescents are aware about STI history before having sex and to consider getting tested;
- To assist adolescents in these localities discuss their sexual and STI history before having sex and to consider getting tested;
- To investigate the factor pre-disposing adolescents’ sexually transmitted infection;
- To investigate the knowledge adolescents in the area under study possess about the spread of STIs; and
- To consider the effect, means of prevention and treatments of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Warri-South Local Government Area of Delta 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 adolescents’ sexually transmitted infection?
- Are adolescents aware about STI history before having sex and to consider getting tested?
- Does abstinence from sex help adolescents to prevent sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
- Does the use of anti-biotic help in the treatment of sexually transmitted disease?
- Does sex education and voluntary counselling of the adolescents aid in the prevention of sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
- What is knowledge possessed by adolescents in the area under study about the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (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.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant factor pre-disposing adolescents’ sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the area under review
- H1: There is a significant factor pre-disposing adolescents’ sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the area under review
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 Impact of the Awareness and Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infection among Adolescent using the adolescents of Warri-South Local Government Area of Delta State as a case study.
