Knowledge, sexual behaviours and risk perception of sexually transmitted infections among students of the polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo state.

BACKGROUND

Current evidence shows that the surge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is of public health importance. In Nigeria, about 3 million cases of STIs are reported annually with the highest rates observed among young people.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to investigate the knowledge, sexual behaviours and risk perception of STIs among students of the polytechnic, Ibadan.

METHOD

The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey which involved the use of a four-stage sampling technique to select 401 students across the five faculties of the institution.

RESULTS

Among the students interviewed, few (18.7%) had good knowledge of STIs with overall mean knowledge score of 5.9±3.6. Majority (65.3%) were sexually active in the last 12 months; while 26.7% had multiple sex partners in the last six months. Only 23.1% of single sexually active students used condom regularly. Few (14.2%) of the students considered themselves to be at risk of contracting STIs. However, there were significant associations between knowledge and risk perception of contracting STIs; and between having multiple sex partners and the risk perception of contracting STIs.

CONCLUSION

These results emphasise the need to provide students with more information about STIs with the aim of positively influencing their self-perceived risk and sexual behaviour.