KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES TOWARDS SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN OFFA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KWARA STATE

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is caused by various infectious agents like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi or as an infection or condition of any sexual activity involving your mouth, anus, vagina, or penis. This study investigates the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards Sexually transmitted infections among University Students fromOffa Local Government Area Kwara State.  The study's objectives are to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards sexually transmitted infections. The questionnaire used was validated and tested for reliability which yielded 0.80r. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages for the demographic data. In contrast, inferential statistics of chi-square and t-test were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. The findings revealed that; There is significant knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (cal. x² value = 315.20 > tab. x² value = 16.92, df = 9); There is a significant attitude towards sexually transmitted infections (cal. x² value = 903.55 > tab. x² value = 16.92, df = 9); There is no significant practice towards sexually transmitted infections among respondents (cal. x² value = 11.71 > tab. x² value = 16.92, df = 9); There is significant knowledge of sexually transmitted infections based on level of education (cal. t-value = 72.08 > tab. t-value = 1.645, df = 439); There is significant knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among respondents based on religion (cal. t-value = 60.48 > tab. t-value = 1.645, df = 439). The study concludes that; There is a level of knowledge of STIs among respondents and is level of attitude toward sexually transmitted infections among respondents. The study recommends that Interactive sessions and awareness campaigns should be organized for students in the university for more knowledge on STIs; Open discussions on Sexually transmitted infections should be encouraged and avoid multiple sex partners that can predispose them to sexually transmitted infections.