SEXUAL KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDS) AMONG STUDENTS OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITY IN AKURE, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

National Guidelines Task Force (1996) defines sexual behaviour, as outward expression of one’s feelings about sexual issues. It is a behaviour that produces arousal and increases the chances of orgasm. Persons may exhibit such sexual acts in the form of heterosexuality, or homosexuality. Maria, (1999) viewed adolescent’s sexuality in general (and students in particular) as problem to be dealt with rather than part of his or her normal growth and development as he or she moves towards adulthood. Students have many reasons for wanting to be sexually active. These include to experiment, to care and to be loved by someone, to express peer group pressure, to feel grownup, and to feel happy and good (Mundigo, 1995). Anas-Kolo (1996) observed that lack of information on sexual issues contributes greatly to the increase in sexual activity among students. Students are ignorant about the physiological and psychological developments of their bodies. Mundigo (1995) observed that many young girls were ignorant of their bodies. He stated that they were not aware of safe option for pregnancy prevention. Ladipo, (1993) explained that the traditional act, which prevented students from acquiring education on sexual matters in the belief that ignorance would encourage chastity, had been proven wrong, judging by high rate of teenage pregnancy. Gorgen et al., (1998) supports this view by saying that two (2) out of every five (5) secondary and university girls had had at least one pregnancy, 150 out of every 1,000 women who gave birth are 19 years and above, and 60% of patients admitted into Nigeria hospitals with abortion complications are girls.(Ladipo, 1989; Georgina, 1995; Network, 1993) showed that sexuality education does not encourage sexual act among youths, but rather delays the age of initiation of sex. Most parents and adults, however, erroneously believed that providing information on sexuality and contraception will promote sexuality among students (Kirstan and Bayeligne, 1994). Consequently, many young people get their information on sexual matters from peer groups or media, which often give sensational portrayal of sexuality (Network, 1993). Those adolescents want to live like the adults. Since they are in their prime age of life, they want to experiment every aspect of their lives (Network, 1993). The behaviours of that group of humans in sex and sexually transmitted diseases differ in comparison to the adults. The behaviour of the students, to a large extent, affects their habit to sex and sexually related health problems. The subject of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), formally known as venereal diseases, has become increasingly important during the past twenty-five years because of the rise in the incidence of many of the sexually transmitted diseases during that period. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is now one of the commonest infectious diseases in the world and the number of cases or incidences is on the increase (Ransome-Kuti, 1996). Formally, people were only aware of gonorrhea and syphilis, but now much more deadly infection is on the increase (Ransome-Kuti, 1996). Some studies (Ladipo, 1989; Georgina, 1999; Ransome-Kuti, 1996) have shown that in many African countries, adolescents (60-70%) were sexually active and as many as 70% of girls have been pregnant at least once by the time they are 18 years old (Ladipo, 1989). Sexual activity at an early age is associated with several serious risks and complications (Arkutu, 1995). The majorities of sexually active adolescents are unaware of these risks or are dangerously misinformed about the consequences of their behaviour (Arkutu, 1995). There is growing recognition of the public health importance of Sexually Transmitted Infectious Diseases (STDs) because of serious rate of morbidity associated with them; especially that (STDs) facilitate the transmission of infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) International Family Planning Perspective (1997). Some studies such as (Adebajo, 1997; Ariba, 2000; Georgina, 1999; Gorgen, et al, 1998) indicated early sexual initiation among Nigerian students. The needs of young people have traditionally been given low priority in our communities. Sex is considered a cultural taboo and dirty for discussion in both public and private areas. The prejudice that exists against issues of sexuality in our culture undermines the possibility for implementing sex education programmes (National Guidelines Task Force, 1996). The National Guidelines Task Force, (NGTF) (1996) observed that a great number of school heads and teachers do not have the knowledge of sex education. The NGTF (1996) identifies further the two following barriers: a) Most teachers do not receive training on sex education b) The overbearing influence of culture and religion, which make such open discussion on sexuality a taboo, In order to arrest these situations, it is necessary to understand the patterns of sexual behaviour and knowledge of and attitude towards Sexually Transmitted Disease (STDs) among the youths.

1.1 Statement of the problem

Knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases does not only influence sexual

behaviour, but also affects the attitude towards these diseases. In Nigeria, as in

many African countries, most people are not aware of how sexually transmitted

diseases are spread, how they affect health and social lives and the sexual

behaviour. Very little research evidence has been reported on the relationship

between sexual behaviour and knowledge, between sexually transmitted diseases

(STDs) among Nigerian youths. This study was therefore conducted to find out

sexual behaviour and knowledge towards sexually transmitted diseases among

adolescents in Akure. Specifically, the focus of this investigation was to find

answers to the following research questions.

1. Are there differences between male and female adolescents in their sexual

behaviour and knowledge about causes of sexually transmitted diseases

(STD’s)?

2. What are the influences of religion, socio-economic status and residential

location on the sexual behaviour of adolescents and their knowledge about

causes and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) in Ondo

State?

1.2 Purpose of the study

The purpose of this study was to examine the sexual knowledge and behaviour of

adolescents in Akure towards Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). To determine

the factors e.g. age, sex, marital status, family type, social class, religion, and

socio-economic status affecting the involvement of the respondents in sexual act.

1.3 Objectives of the study

The main objective of the study was to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of sexual behavior among adolescents

and undergraduate students in Akure, Ondo State.

The specific objectives of this study are to:

a) Examine the demographic factors of the respondents. These include

sex, age, religion, class, marital status, socio-economic status, and

family type;

b) Examine the sexual behavior and practice of the respondents;

c) Determine the relationship between socio-economic factors and their

sexual acts among the students in Akure; and

d) Assess the level of awareness of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

(STDs) among adolescents in Akure, Ondo State;

1.4 Significance of the study

This study was justified on the following basis. It is necessary to understand the sexual behaviour of adolescents, to

identify any abnormality in the behaviour so as to make appropriate suggestions for better behaviour. There seems to be

very scanty information about adolescents’ sexual behaviour in Akure, Ondo State. The results of this study would therefore

provide the missing link so as to show the pattern of sexual behaviour of the adolescents.

Knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases makes individuals to understand and apprehend consequential effect of these

diseases on health which will motivate them to practice safe sex. It is not known whether adolescents of Akure, Ondo State

are knowledgeable about sexually transmitted diseases. The study will show their awareness of such diseases.