WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Ezeama, M.C. and Enwereji, E. E.*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The challenge of minimizing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among adolescents in the rural areas has been the uttermost concern of many researchers in both developed and developing countries. Studies have shown that most adolescents especially in-school adolescents in the rural areas are exposed to indiscriminate sexual practices due to conditions including rape from opposite sex, desire to have sex after watching pornography, poverty and others. This study investigated the extent to which in-school adolescents in the rural areas of Imo State protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections including HIV as well as the extent to which they are aware of mode of transmission of STIs. Materials and method: Cross--sectional descriptive design was used to collect information for the study. Three community secondary schools populated by both boys and girls were randomly selected for the study. It was assumed that using schools populated by both boys and girls will afford the researchers the opportunity of identifying the extent to which adolescent males and females engage themselves in risky sexual activities. Self-administered questionnaire containing open and closed ended questions served as instrument for data collection. The sample size for the study was 278. The study used all the Senior Secondary School Students in the three schools studied. It was assumed that the students in the Senior Secondary classes constitute the group of students that are sexually active. Result: The finding showed that out of 91 students studied in school number 1, 9(9.9%) males and 22(24.2%) females have had sex. Out of those who have had sex, only 10(8.7%) used condom during sex . In school number 2, out of 94 students studied, 15(16%) of the males and 27(28.7%) of the females have had sex . Out of this number, only 8(7%) used condom. In school number 3, out of 93 students studied, 17(18.3%) of the males and 25(26.9%) of the females have had sex. Out of the number that have had sex, only 12(10.4%) used condom. The main sources of information where the students learnt about STIs were television 50(22.7%), peers in school 45(20.5% and radio 44(20%). A good proportion of the students 159((56.6%) were aware that having unprotected sex with an infected person will expose them to STIs including HIV. As a result, 41.4% of them suggested the use of condom during sex as a protective measure against STIs. Conclusion: As a result of the students’ poor knowledge on STIs and HIV mode of transmissions, there is need to health educate in-school adolescents on the benefits of maintaining abstinence as a sure method for preventing STIs and HIV infections.

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