Abstract

Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections that are transmitted from one individual to another through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person be it through oral, vaginal and anal sex. STIs are caused by 30 different kinds of pathogens including bacteria, virus, protozoa and fungus which are both curable and non-curable but can all be prevented.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the “knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices of STIs amongst youths aged 15-24years at Busumbu  Community, limbe.

Methods: This study was carried out using a descriptive cross sectional study design.

Results: an overall of 30(100%) participants had good knowledge towards STIs, an overall of 25(83.3%) participants had positive attitude towards STIs and an overall of 25(83.3%)participants had good practices towards the prevention of STIs.

Conclusion: Based on my findings, it can be concluded that the youths of Busumbu community Limbe have good knowledge, positive attitude, and have good practices towards STIs prevention.

Recommendation: regular screening and use of latex condom during sexual intercourse is advised, especially among youths.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections that are transmitted from one individual to another through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person either through oral, vaginal and anal sex. STIs are caused by 30 different kinds of pathogens including bacteria, virus, protozoa and fungus which are both curable and non-curable but can all be prevented (Osanyin et al.,2020). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain one of the most serious public health problems in the world, both in industrialized and in developing countries (Subbarao & Akhilesh, 2017).

STIs represent a huge burden of disease worldwide with an annual incidence of about 333 million cases and have harmful effects on sexual health or reproduction (Nyasulu et al., 2018a).  Globally, the burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains a high public health concern. It is estimated that more than 1 million curable STIs are acquired every day worldwide, and 376 million new cases occur each year (Yuh et al., 2020).

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections with significant probability of transmission by means of sexual contact through vaginal, oral and anal sex (Norbu, Mukhia, and Tshokey 2013).

Worldwide, over a million people acquire a sexually transmitted infection (STI) daily. Every year, there is an estimated 357 million new infections with one of the four STIs globally: chlamydia (131 million), gonorrhoea (78 million), syphilis (5.6 million) or trichomoniasis (143 million) (Ulfa et al., 2020).

A range of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV have been reported among individuals with risk factors being unhealthy sexual behaviors, including no or infrequent use of condoms, multi sexual partners, engaging into sexual activities at a young age, being sexually assaulted, and drug abuse. Many adolescents tend to experiment and indulge in some risky sexual behaviors primarily due to the feeling of independence as well as poor access to adequate and appropriate information about sexual and reproductive health (Mbachu et al., 2021). (Steen et al., 2009).

In Sub-Saharan Africa, it has been identified that adolescents and women of reproductive age are at high risk for STIs due to several factors including socio-behavioral risk factors like low levels of education, not being married, multiple sex partners, alcohol and drug use, early engagement into sexual activities and low availability and use of condoms (Sham et al., 2020)

Young people are at high risk of  STI due to the following reasons: young women’s bodies are biologically more prone to sexually transmitted infections (STDs), lack of access to healthcare, confidentiality concerns and multiple sexual partners, among others (Osanyin et al., 2020).. The Cameroonian National Demographic Health Survey (CDHS) in 2008 reported that 16% of young women and 6% of young men aged between 15 and 24 years had sexual debut before the age of 15 years (Elsabagh et al., 2016).

A survey in Cameroon on the prevalence and predictors of early sexual debut among adolescents reported that an average of 18.6% had sexual debut before their 15th birthday – 16.6% in boys and 20.2% in girls. Regions where they are endemic, propelled mainly by heterosexual transmission, includes vaccination (for vaccine-preventable diseases) and practice of the ‘ABC’ approach (abstinence, be faithful to one partner and use of condom) (Varghese et al., 2020).

This study was carried out in busumbu community Limbe to determine the knowledge, attitude and prevention practices adopted by youths towards STIs.

1.2 Statement of the Problem. 

Globally, the prevalence of STIs remains significantly high despite the measures put in place to increase the Knowledge and attitude on the various types and their prevention measures. Complications of STIs such as infertility, cancers of the cervix keep increasing in prevalence daily hence, posing serious health problems.

Also, there is a reduced use of condoms during sexual intercourse as a measure of preventing STIs, as most youths are of the opinion that it is more pleasurable having sexual intercourse without condoms. According to a study carried out in the US in 2018, an estimated population of 67.6 million and 26.2 million people made up the prevalence and incidence of STIs respectively.

All this may be due to the lack of knowledge on preventive measures of STIs. The purpose of the study is to improve youths’ knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices as far as STIs are concerned.

1.3 Research Questions

1.3.1: Main Research Question

What is the Knowledge, Attitudes and Prevention practices of sexually Transmitted Infections among youths aged 15-24 in the Busumbu Community Limbe?

1.3.2: Specific Research Questions       

1. What Knowledge do youths aged 15-24 have on Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Busumbu Community-Limbe?
2. What are the attitudes of youths aged 15-24 towards Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Busumbu Community-Limbe?
3. What prevention practices do youths aged 15-24 adopt in the prevention Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Busumbu Community-Limbe?

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