ABSTRACT

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health concern among adolescents worldwide, particularly in developing countries where inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes, and risky sexual practices contribute to increased transmission. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices of teenagers in Molyko community towards sexually transmitted infections.

Specifically, the study sought to evaluate teenagers’ knowledge of STIs, assess their attitudes towards STI prevention, and identify the preventive practices adopted in the fight against sexually transmitted infections. A descriptive cross-sectional study design with a quantitative approach was used. The study was conducted in Molyko community, Buea, South West Region of Cameroon. A sample of 100 teenagers aged 13–19 years was selected using simple random sampling techniques.

Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of both open-ended and closed-ended questions. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables and charts. The findings revealed that all respondents (100.0%) had heard about sexually transmitted infections, while 68.0% demonstrated good knowledge of STIs. However, some misconceptions concerning STI transmission and prevention were still observed among respondents.

Regarding attitudes, 64.0% of the respondents demonstrated positive attitudes towards STI prevention, particularly on condom use, STI testing, and early treatment seeking. Despite this, many respondents were uncomfortable discussing STIs openly and had low perceived susceptibility to infection. In terms of preventive practices, the findings showed that 46.0% of the respondents had good preventive practices, while 54.0% demonstrated poor preventive practices. Risky behaviours identified included inconsistent condom use, multiple sexual partnerships, poor STI testing uptake, self-medication, and limited communication with partners regarding STI prevention.

The study concluded that although teenagers in Molyko community had moderate to good knowledge and relatively positive attitudes towards sexually transmitted infections, many still engaged in unsafe sexual practices that increased their risk of STI transmission.

The study therefore recommends intensified sexual health education, increased access to youth-friendly reproductive health services, promotion of condom use, and community sensitization programs aimed at improving preventive practices and reducing stigma associated with STIs among teenagers.

Keywords: Sexually transmitted infections, teenagers, knowledge, attitudes, preventive practices, Molyko community, adolescents.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) refer to infections which are mainly transmitted by sexual intercourse, and they are a major public health problem in India. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the highest reported rates of STIs are found in people between 15 and 24 years of age with up to 60% of new infections and half of all seropositive cases occurring in this age group. Adolescents, as per the definition by WHO, are individuals between 10 and 19 years of age. It is observed that about one in twenty adolescents contracts an STI every year, excluding the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other viral infections.[1] The increased vulnerability of this age group to contracting STIs can be attributed to several factors. Most of them belonging to this age group stay away from their families to pursue higher studies, thus getting exposed to people of different socioeconomic backgrounds. The hormonal and emotional fluctuations along with peer pressure forces few of them to explore new ventures such as substance abuse, unprotected sex, and multiple sexual partners. As discussing openly about sex is still a taboo in India, most of them resort to peers and media as opposed to parents and doctors for the required knowledge and end up with incorrect information. Moreover, STIs, if not treated promptly, might result in complications such as infertility, abortions, malignancy, and urethral strictures, which can be prevented by appropriate education regarding safe sex practices.[5]

Adolescents account for 22% of the population of India and contribute to 31% of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) case load in the country.[3,4] Hence, it is imperative to increase the awareness of adolescents regarding STIs to curtail their transmission in this age group as they are a valuable resource contributing significantly to the growth and development of the country. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices pertaining to STIs among adolescents and young adults of nonmedical backgrounds.

Knowledge and practice are central to STI prevention and control. Knowledge relates to awareness of types of STIs, modes of transmission, symptoms, prevention methods (e.g., condoms, mutual monogamy, limiting partners), and the importance of early testing and treatment. Practice includes consistent condom use, timely health seeking when symptoms occur, routine screening (especially in pregnancy), partner notification and treatment, and avoidance of harmful self-medication (WHO, 2021). However, good knowledge does not automatically lead to safe practices; barriers such as stigma, fear of judgement, cost, poor confidentiality in services, myths and partner resistance can weaken uptake of preventive behaviours (UNAIDS, 2022; WHO, 2021).

Globally, STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis remain highly prevalent among sexually active populations. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for a large proportion of the global STI burden, with millions of cases reported each year among reproductive-age populations (Olawore et al., 2025). These infections are associated with severe reproductive health consequences including infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and increased risk of HIV infection (Kinfe, 2024; Olawore et al., 2025).

In Cameroon, STIs continue to pose a significant reproductive health challenge. Studies have shown that sexually transmitted infections contribute to infertility and adverse reproductive outcomes among teenagers.A case-control study conducted in Fako Division identified infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Trichomonas vaginalis among women of reproductive age, highlighting the ongoing circulation of these pathogens in the population (Mbah et al., 2022). Additionally, research assessing sexual and reproductive health knowledge among teenagers in Cameroon indicates that although awareness of STIs exists, significant gaps remain in knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices (Fonjong et al., 2023).

Poor knowledge about modes of transmission, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of STIs among teenagers remains a major barrier to effective control of these infections. In many African settings, stigma, cultural norms, and lack of access to health services prevent women from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment (Teshome et al., 2020). These barriers often lead to untreated infections, which increase the risk of complications and facilitate continued transmission within communities.

1.2 Problem Statement

The effect of sexually transmitted infection or disease in adolescents is a growing concern due the continuous negative impact and complications that are preventable if evidence-based established screening, education, and treatment options are implemented in the outpatient pediatric office. The adolescent population also accounts for 50% of all reported gonorrhea cases, 65% of all reported chlamydia cases, and 22% of all reported

HIV diagnoses documented in 2015 (Grieb et al., 2019). Therefore, the need to accurately assess and educate this age group is a global necessity.

At the intended project site, there has been a high incidence of positive

STIs/STDs. At least two cases of STDs/STIs are identified weekly, which indicates that an average ten cases of STDs/STIs are treated monthly. Although sixty percent of sexually active teenagers report using condoms, 25% become infected with STDs/STIs

(CDC, 2013, Fisher et al., 2020). The nurse practitioner and the nurses at the Northeast pediatric clinic were not consistently screening for STIs/STDs and were not providing

STIs/STDs education to the adolescents presenting for care. This kind of intervention can prevent infections and help increase recognition of symptoms, which leads to a delay in diagnosis, as well as the delay in the treatment of symptoms.

1.3 RATIONALE 

With the high prevalence of STIs amongst teenagers, it is necessary to carry out studies that can help create awareness of the disease and also reduce the incidence and prevent complications especially in teenagers who might not be very much aware of the disease.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What knowledge do teenagers in molyko community have on sexually transmitted infections?
2. What are their attitudes towards the prevention of sexually transmitted infections?
3. What are the preventive practices carried out by teenagers in molyko community to fight against sexually transmitted infections?

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