Knowledge and Awareness of Preventive Practices of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Tertiary Institution Students in Kaduna, Nigeria
1
Community Medicine, 1 Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital 2 Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major global public health challenge and are central to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3. Young adults contribute to substantial proportion of new STI infections worldwide. While awareness of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has improved, knowledge of other STIs and their prevention remains limited. Undergraduate students in Nigerian tertiary institutions are a high-risk population due to prevalent sexual risk behaviours. This study assessed STI knowledge, awareness of preventive practices, self-reported prevalence, and associated risk behaviours among tertiary institution students in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 undergraduate students selected through multistage sampling from three tertiary institutions. Data was collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
The mean age of respondents was 22.3 ± 4 years; 52% were female. Although 81.1% had heard of STIs, only 1.3% demonstrated good overall knowledge, while 89.6% had poor knowledge. Gonorrhea (42%) and syphilis (29.6%) were the most commonly identified STIs. In contrast, 66.2% demonstrated awareness of preventive practices, particularly condom use (72.4%) and having one sexual partner (72.2%). Self-reported prevalence of STIs was 22%, with gonorrhea (8.9%) and chlamydia (6.4%) most frequently reported. Risky sexual behaviours were common, including multiple sexual partners (34%) and non-use of condoms (53.2%). STI knowledge was significantly associated with sexual behaviours and awareness of prevention (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite relatively high awareness of preventive practices, substantial knowledge gaps regarding STIs other than HIV persist, alongside high-risk sexual behaviours. Strengthening sexual and reproductive health education, targeted sustainable publicity awareness campaigns and youth-friendly prevention services are essential.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major global public health challenge and are central to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3. Young adults contribute to substantial proportion of new STI infections worldwide. While awareness of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has improved, knowledge of other STIs and their prevention remains limited. Undergraduate students in Nigerian tertiary institutions are a high-risk population due to prevalent sexual risk behaviours. This study assessed STI knowledge, awareness of preventive practices, self-reported prevalence, and associated risk behaviours among tertiary institution students in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 undergraduate students selected through multistage sampling from three tertiary institutions. Data was collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
The mean age of respondents was 22.3 ± 4 years; 52% were female. Although 81.1% had heard of STIs, only 1.3% demonstrated good overall knowledge, while 89.6% had poor knowledge. Gonorrhea (42%) and syphilis (29.6%) were the most commonly identified STIs. In contrast, 66.2% demonstrated awareness of preventive practices, particularly condom use (72.4%) and having one sexual partner (72.2%). Self-reported prevalence of STIs was 22%, with gonorrhea (8.9%) and chlamydia (6.4%) most frequently reported. Risky sexual behaviours were common, including multiple sexual partners (34%) and non-use of condoms (53.2%). STI knowledge was significantly associated with sexual behaviours and awareness of prevention (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite relatively high awareness of preventive practices, substantial knowledge gaps regarding STIs other than HIV persist, alongside high-risk sexual behaviours. Strengthening sexual and reproductive health education, targeted sustainable publicity awareness campaigns and youth-friendly prevention services are essential.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
