TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
1.2 Statement of Problems
1.3 Research Objectives
1.4 Research Question
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Scope of Study
1.7 Significance of study
1.8 Limitation of study
1.9 Definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Research methodology
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of study
3.3 Sampling Design and Procedure
3.4 Data Collection Instrument
3.5 Administration of Data Collection Instrument
3.6 Methods of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Data Presentation and Analysis
4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Test of Hypothesis
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
Questionnaire
ABSTRACT
Sexually transmitted diseases have over the time been in existence and have constituted one of the biggest threats to human kind and tackling this epidemic is of uttermost importance. This study fosters on the level of knowledge and sources of information on sexually transmitted diseases (STDS) among emerging adults in ogun state. However, evidences from this study reveal that there is high level of knowledge and numerous sources of information for the emerging adults. A survey was taken over selected schools in various local governments in ogun state. The structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents out of which two hundred were found usable given a response rate of 95%, and descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyze data. The findings revealed that, though there is an intermediate level of public awareness through the media, adolescents do not share information on STDS as a result of poor communication skills, shyness and inadequate source of information impeding the reduction of the spread of STDS through the knowledge they have. Thus, it is recommended that there should be high influx of information through the media and other channels like peer education, classroom learning etc. should be exploited. Also, platforms for knowledge sharing should be created, monitored and encouraged using reward systems.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Sexually Transmitted Diseases has been noted to imperil not only human kind but institutions therefore not constituting one of the biggest threats to the global agenda. (UNESCO, 2000).However, Across 15 countries surveyed in the round 2 of the “Afro barometer,” evidence indicates that large proportions of Africans have either lost family or friends to STDS, or supper under the burden of STDS by caring for family members or orphans (Afro barometer, 2004).In this vein, Kelly (2004) argues that in most of these countries, the STDS prevalence rate exceeds 5 percent, numbers that indicate that the epidemic is now undermine every aspect of the society, including families, health, education, industry and economic development.
Sexually transmitted infection is now recognized as a serious global threat to the health of populations. Adolescents and young adults (15-24) are the age groups at the greatest risk for acquiring sexually transmitted infections/Diseases and 3 million become infected each year. These infection diseases can have severe consequences, especially in females if not heated. Over the years, repeated “STDS” prevalence surveys in Nigeria have shown that the burden of this epidemic is more on adolescents and young people. Thus, this study investigates the level of knowledge and sources of information on Sexually Transmitted Diseases among emerging adults.Over the period of 1980`s, a general decrease of gonorrhea, syphilis and Chlamydia infections was noted in developed countries both in the general population and among adolescents. From the mid-1990`s however, increase in the diagnosis of sexually transmitted disease, in particular HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea and Chlamydia have been reported in Several African Countries, especially among emerging adults of 16-19 years old.
The problem with most STDS is that they can occur symptom free and can thus be passed on unaware during unprotected sexually intercourse. On an individual level, complication can include pelvic inflammatory disease and possibly lead to ectopicpregnancies and infertility. Female adolescent are likely to have am higher risk of contracting STD than their male counterpart as their partner are generally older and hence more likely to be infected.
The declaring age of first sexual inter-course has been proffered as a possible explanation for the increase in number of STDS. According to data from different agencies countries, the average age of the first sexual inter-course has decrease over the list three decades with increasing proportion of adolescent reporting sexual activity before the age of 16 years. An early onset of sexual activity not only increases the probability of having various sexual partners, it also increases the chance of contracting a sexually transmitted infection. The risk is higher for female adolescent as their carvel anatomic development is incomplete and especially vulnerable to infection by certain sexually transmitted pathogens.
According to the 2008 national HIV surveillance the prevalence of 4.6% in all state and federal capital territory (FCT) have prevalence of about 1% with 17 state having HIV prevalence of 4.6% in all states and federal capital territory [FCT] have prevalence of about 1% with 17 states having HIV prevalence greater than 55. Also, information rate among young people between 15-19 years at 3.3%; 20-24 years at 4.6% and 25-29 years at 5.6%. These are considered very high and a key for national strategy in the current national strategies framework to direct focus on national HIV prevalence effort to address this trend.
According to Vanguard, NOV 13[2012], Nigeria was ranked as number eight among twelve countries in the world that have recorded a decline in the new HIV infection rate. Statistics released by the Nigeria institute of medical research ay a program to mark year 2012’s World AIDs day in Lagos, showed that Nigeria and eleven other countries recorded 20% reduction in new infection rate between 2001 and 2011.Evidence has shown that education or knowledge aimed specifically on the adolescent girls slows or even reverses the spread of STDs by aiming them with valuable life and decision making skills. However, the decrease in the prevalence of STDs accrued to knowledge sharing was also revealed by Dr Okey Nwanyanwu, the country’s Director of the centre of Global health, who made this known at a news conference held at the U.S embassy as part of events to mark World’s health day on Dec. 1st. Nwanyanwu in the weekend observer NOV 26 [2011] stated that, the decrease in HIV and AIDs prevalence was as a result of increased public awareness.
To design appropriate intervention, it is important to know about adolescents’ knowledge of and experience with STDs and about their health-seekingbehavior related to STDs. For example, we need information about adolescents’ knowledge of and attitude towards using condoms for STD prevention, their use of various types of health providers for the treatment of STDs and their attitude towards partner notification. It is widely recognized that Nigerian adolescents do not use existing reproductive health services. This poor utilization of public services is probably largely attributable to the fact that such services do not specifically address the needs and concerns of adolescent.The relevance of adolescents’ to use condoms is another possible explanation for the increase in STDs. Some surveys of adolescents have reported that condom were found to be difficult to use for sexually inexperienced. Condoms have also been reported to be used primarily as a protection against pregnancy not STD with their use becoming irregular when other contraceptives are used.Having been able to understand these fact, this project is aimed on knowing how much of these the emerging adults know and are aware of this in order to put in place proper source of information and orientation among the emerging adults particularly in Ogun state.
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This study is set to look into the level of knowledge and what the emerging adult know as sexually Transmitted Disease [STD]. There are also no concrete source of information to the emerging adult towards the use of condoms for STD prevention. Also the understanding of available statistics or record on the level of knowledge on STDs among emerging adults is not adequate.The study identified low-availability of information and self concept of emerging adults on Sexually Transmitted disease.
1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY.
Specifically the research seeks to determine the following
· Determine the level of knowledge on sexually Transmitted disease among emerging adults.
· Determine the level of public awareness on STDS among emerging adults in Ogun state.
· Determine various sources of information on STDS among emerging adults.
· To find out the awareness level of sexually Transmitted Disease to the society and majorly the emerging adults.
· Determine the challenge(s) of knowledge sharing in reducing the spread of Sexually Transmitted Disease among emerging adults.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In studying the level of knowledge and sources of information on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) among emerging adults, on attempt will be made to answer the following questions
v What do the emerging adults know about Sexually Transmitted Disease?
v What is the level of public awareness about Sexually Transmitted Disease among emerging adults?
v What are the sources of information and awareness available to the emerging adults about Sexually Transmitted Disease?
v To what extent has knowledge sharing influenced the level of knowledge of STDS among emerging adults?
v How has the society influence the level of knowledge and sources of information on STDS among emerging adults?
v What is the influence of education on knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Disease among Emerging Adults?
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The imperativeness of this study cannot be neglected. However, this study will guide governmental and Non-governmental agencies who are interested in the campaign against the spread of STDS, to channel sources of information on STDS to emerging adults with the primary objective of empowering them with sufficient knowledge on valuable life/decision making skills, motivate them to share knowledge on STDS among themselves and encourage total abstinence from premarital sex.It will also be a good ground for the post primary education board in Ogun state, Nigeria to inculcate sex education into secondary school curriculum and also the tertiary institution curriculum as a way of educating the emerging adults on their sexuality and health. For knowledge to be shared, it has to be acquired both formally and informally, and the school is a suitable place for formally educating the adolescents
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The research work seeks to investigate the level of knowledge and sources of information on STDS among emerging adults in some selected schools in Ogun state.It will not go outside this scope to achieve the objective of the research project. It will also be limited by logistic and financial constraint, journals; books e.t.c. that does not emphasized the whole subject matter and will also not be considered.
1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The research study is focused mainly on the level of knowledge and sources of information on STDS among emerging adults.The study will limit its finding to only selected schools in Ogun state.
1.7 DEFINITION OF THE TERMS
The following terms are used in the course of writing this study,
Level of knowledge:Refers to the way of describing the knowledge of an individual that is independent of the individuals’ internal experience.
Source of information: Any system producing information or containing information intended for transmission
STDS: Sexually Transmitted Disease which is acquired during sexual intercourse.
Emerging Adults: This is a phase of the life span between adolescence and full- fledged adulthood. Also encompasses late adolescence and early adulthood between age 16-21.s