KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARDS SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN LAUVN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA NIGER STATE
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KNOWLEDGE
AND ATTITUDE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARDS SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
IN LAUVN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA NIGER STATE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
Table of
Contents
Background
of the Study
Statement of
the Problem
Purpose of
the Study
Research
Questions
Hypotheses
Significance
of the Study
Scope of the
Study
Sexually
transmitted disease (STD) is any disease (such as syphilis, gonorrhea, AIDS, or
a genital form of herpes simplex) that is usually or often transmitted from
person to person by direct sexual contact. It may also be transmitted from a
mother to her child before or at birth or, less frequently, may be passed from
person to person in nonsexual contact such as in kissing, in tainted blood
transfusions, or in the use of unsanitized hypodermic syringes ( Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008). In a
similar thought, Myless, (2001) averred that sexually transmitted diseases are
those diseases caused by variety of organisms which are capable of being
transmitted sexually. However, Achalu (1993) defined sexually transmitted
diseases as group of infectious diseases in which the main form of spread is by
sexual activity or contact. The researcher defines sexually transmitted
diseases as diseases that can be contacted through unprotected sexually
activities.
Sexually
transmitted diseases usually affect initially the genitals, the reproductive
tract, the urinary tract, the oral cavity, the anus, or the rectum but may
mature in the body to attack various organs and systems. Tertiary syphilis, or
paresis, for example, may affect skin, bones, the central nervous system, the
heart,
the liver,
or other organs. Persons infected by an AIDS virus may remain outwardly healthy
for years before the disease takes hold within the immune system. Sexually transmitted diseases have a long
history. The best known of these diseases, syphilis, is caused by the bacterium
Treponema pallidum. Syphilis was first widely reported by European writers in
the 16th century, and some medical historians assume that it was imported into
Europe by explorers returning from the New World. Other authorities believe
that syphilis is of ancient origin and may at one time have been mistakenly
identified as leprosy. At any rate, syphilis first became widely recognized and
reported about the year 1500, when a virtual epidemic swept Europe (Billings,
1998). Urethritis is the infection and
inflammation of the urethra (the passage that transmits urine from the bladder
to the exterior of the body). Most cases of urethritis are in fact sexually
transmitted. Urethritis that is caused by the gonococcus bacterium (Neisseria
gonorrhoeae) is called gonorrhea and is
one of the best-known sexually transmitted diseases. Gonorrhea was named by the
Greek physician Galen and is thought to have been known to the ancient Chinese
and Egyptians. A disease that became
especially widespread beginning in the 1960s and ’70s was genital herpes.
Herpes infections are significant not only in terms of the discomfort they
cause but also for the potentially serious illness that might occur in infants
born to mothers with genital herpes infections. A variety of treatments have
been used for genital herpes, but none have been entirely satisfactory.(
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008)
The sexually
transmitted disease that caused perhaps the greatest alarm in the late 20th
century was acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. From the time of its
first clear identification in 1981, AIDS spread rapidly, with reported cases
rising at a high rate, especially among homosexuals and intravenous drug users
in the United States and Western Europe and among heterosexuals in tropical
Africa. The high mortality rate from AIDS and the absence of a cure or vaccine
against the disease had a sobering effect on sexually permissive
societies. Nearly a score of other
sexually transmitted diseases are known. All have reasonably effective drug
cures. About half of all cases of urethritis that are not gonorrhea are
chlamydia, which is caused by an infection with Chlamydia trachomas. The latter
bacterium is also the infecting agent in pelvic inflammatory disease and in
still another sexually transmitted disease, lymphogranuloma venereum. The cause for the remaining 50 percent of
nongonococcal urethral infections is not known; no organism has been definitely
related (Wenger, 1995). Trichomoniasis is an infection of the urogenital tract
caused by a protozoan, Trichomonas vaginalis; males usually have no symptoms
with this infection, and only a portion of infected females have a vaginal
discharge. Candidiasis (yeast infection)
is caused by
Candida
albicans (sometimes called Monilia albicans), which produces in women a thick,
whitish vaginal discharge and causes irritation and itching in the genital
area. Males may have irritation of the glans or skin of the penis. Because this
yeast is ubiquitous in the environment, these infections are not always
sexually acquired. Warts occurring in the genital areas are caused by certain
types of papilloma viruses, and these types of warts can be transmitted to
other people by sexual contact. Most often, genital warts are nothing more than
a nuisance, but occasionally they can become so numerous or so large as to
interfere with urination, bowel movements, or vaginal delivery. There is also
mounting evidence that papilloma viral infections of the genital tract are a
factor in the development of cancer of the cervix and possibly of the genitals
themselves.
The word
“knowledge’, according to Encarta English dictionary (2008), is defined as
general awareness or explicit information of a situation or a fact. It also
means information in mind; possession of information, facts, ideas, truths and
principles. On the other hand, the above dictionary also defines the word “attitude” as personal view of
something; an opinion or general feeling about something. In the pre-colonial
period and even during the British Colonial time, sex outside of marriage was
considered repugnant and forbidden in Africa. The people were generally
inhibited and did not openly express their opinions and views pertaining to love,
marriage and sex. Moreover, it is considered a taboo for teachers and parents
to talk with students/children about sexual matters, such as
sexual
relationships, and STDs in schools as well as at home because of cultural and
religious barriers. In contemporary African society, however, there has been
extensive interest, inquiry and curiosity in the phenomenon of sexual relations
outside marriage, sex is discussed more freely by the larger society and
adolescents in particular.
In addition,
the issue of sex is at present the subject matter of youth club programmes,
television show, art work and public laws. As a matter of fact, there is more
divestment and nudity in advertisements, magazines, television show and movies
pointing to a general trend to get liberated attitudes and values which promote
open discussions of human sexuality that were once considered a taboo. This
kind of permissive environment has influenced people to have liberal and
permissive attitudes and behaviours towards sexuality both in premarital and
extramarital affairs. The sensitivity of
sexuality and youth behavior seems to obstruct education on STDs despite the
fact that there is now a stronger commitment to address STDs in schools.
Indeed,
experts are in agreement that sexual attitudes and behaviours of present day
secondary schools have become more liberal and permissive (Reiss, 1994, Roche,
1996, Bell and Chaskas, 1990.).These experts also pointed out that there are
very high incidence of premarital sex in the society. Unachukwu and
Nwankwo
(1998) pointed out that many of those who have not engaged in coitus during
their years of study in secondary school (very few indeed) will do so before
they marry. Apparently, today, those who do not experience sexual intercourse
before marriage are in minority.
In Nigeria,
the traditional values among Nigerians for the sanctity of sex and sex for
procreation have been abused in favour of liberal sexual behaviours. There is
evidence of high rate of adolescents’ coital sex and premarital sexual
involvements among Nigerian adolescents, especially, secondary school students.
(Onyemelukwu, 1993). The World Health Organization (WHO, 1993) drew the
attention of the world in no mistakable terms to the rise in the incidence and
the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, ever since then, nobody or
association has refuted the claim. Rather, other numerous sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs) were discovered and reported to be in circulation. As a matter
of fact, Webster (1992) reported that the incidence of infection of STDs has
risen dramatically until it is now recognized as having reached epidemic
proportions.
A more
widely discussed factor for the spread of veneral diseases (VDS) is on increase
in sexual freedom and the frequency of the sexual contacts.( Morton,1991) The
commonest STDs include HIV&AIDS, non-specific genital infection (NSGI),
Candidiasis, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, Genital Warts,
Syphilis,
Herps, Genitalia Tines (Crurus), Scabies and GardenerellaVaginalisis.
Others are
Hymphorgramutoma, Varecem, Choncroid and Vereophobia among others. The tragedy
of the premarital sexuality among adolescents is that they engage in frequent
sexual activities without proper knowledge of what is involved (Obikeze, 1997).
In another opinion, Achalu (1996) emphasizes that those who engage in high risk
behaviours such as indiscriminate sex with many partners or those who pick
partners from the streets have increased chance of being infected. Furthermore,
Ijezie, (1997), says that sexual practices such as anal intercourse, oral
intercourse, homosexuality, heterosexuality and deep kissing are associated
with high risk of contracting these diseases especially the virus that causes
AIDS. Also Owolabi, (1995), says that
some of the prevalence of STDs in Nigeria is due to sexual promiscuity, and
homosexuality, lack of sex education, self medication and drug abuse among
secondary school students. The researcher,
a school counselor, have observed with dismay that rate at which secondary
school boys and girls patronize pharmacy stores for condom and pills is on
increase in a bid to control sexually transmitted diseases. At a particular
occasion, such pills were found in the school bags of several senior secondary
students who seemingly have no knowledge of these pills. To this effect, the
researcher is set to ascertain the knowledge of students on the control of STDs
It has been
established that sexual promiscuity is on increase among adolescents and
especially students but it will be nebulous to conclude that male students in
secondary schools have better knowledge and attitude towards sexually
transmitted diseases than their female counterparts. A research carried out in
India indicates that the knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases and other
STIs among adolescent girls in schools is poor when compared to boys. (India
report,
2005). In
this regard, the researcher will consider gender in this study. Hence, Webster
(1992), indicated that attitudes and beliefs around sexual behavior determine
the intended sexual behavior of young people. He concluded in his study that
most of young people did not believe that girls should remain a virgin and as
such; they are naturally predisposed to sexually transmitted diseases.
Several
studies on vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases have indicated that
the most common reasons cited for having engaged in unwanted sex by street were
being drunk and pressure from a sexual partner (Owen,1996, Morgan, 2004). Bridging the gap between knowledge and
practice has emerged as a major behavior change communication challenge to
reducing students’ vulnerability to STDs and unwanted pregnancies. It is not
certain whether secondary school students are aware of STDs and also; whether
they have right attitude towards it. Therefore, this survey will be conducted
in order to investigate and assess the knowledge of STDs among secondary school
students and their attitude towards sexuality taking into account the high
prevalence of the AIDS pandemic. In the light of the above statement, the
researcher is interested in investigating the knowledge and attitude of
Secondary School students towards
Sexually
Transmitted Diseases in Nsukka Education Zone.
STATEMENT OF
THE PROBLEM
Adolescents,
especially those in secondary schools are likely to engage in risky sexual
practices and this increase their chances of contacting sexually transmitted
diseases or infections. It is no longer an old tale about the existence of
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as it used to be relegated as
superstitious. Just like the popular slogan that “AIDS is real” similarly,
sexually transmitted diseases abound but the problem is that adolescents and
especially, secondary school students who indulge in sexual practices seem to have little or no knowledge of STDs and
the right attitude towards it.
In a bid to
explore and experiment on sex and its related activities, adolescents seemingly
lurk in total ignorance of the existence, symptoms, mode of transmission,
control and right attitude towards sexually transmitted diseases. However,
ignorance, they said, is not an excuse to grave consequences of contacting
STDs. Sequel to the above statement, the problem of this study simply addressed
in a question form is; what do adolescents in secondary schools know on the
symptoms, mode of transmission and control of sexually transmitted diseases.
Also, what is the attitude of secondary school students in Lauvn local
government area Niger state. towards STDs.
PURPOSE OF
THE STUDY
The main
purpose of this study is to find out the level of knowledge and attitude of
Secondary School students towards STDs in Lauvn local government area Niger
state.. Specifically, the study aims at the following:
To ascertain
the level of knowledge of students on the signs and symptoms of STDs.
To find out
the extent to which the students know of the mode of transmission.
To ascertain
their knowledge of the control of STDs
To find out
the attitude of students towards STDs.
To determine
the influence of gender on students level of knowledge of STDs.
RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
To carry out
the study, the following research questions were formulated to guide the study,
What is the
level of knowledge of students on the signs and symptoms of
STDs?
To what
extent do students know the modes of transmission of STDs?
To what extent
are students aware of the control of STDs? iv. What are the students’ attitudes towards
STDs?
What are the
influence of gender on students’ level of knowledge of STDs?
HYPOTHESES
The
following null hypotheses will be tested at 0.05 level of significance to guide
the study.
HO1: There
is no significant difference between the mean responses of male and female
students on their knowledge of various STDs.
HO2: There
is no significant difference between the mean scores on attitude of students
towards STDs based on gender.
SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
The findings
of this study if published will be of immense benefits to the ministry of
Education, teachers, parents, curriculum developers and the general public.
It is hoped
that the findings of this study will spur the Federal Ministry of Health and
Ministry of Education to articulate effective programmes on sex education for
Secondary School Students. It is hoped that these ministries will train and
equip peer educators who will further educate secondary school students on the
right knowledge and attitude towards sexually transmitted diseases; steering
through it’s related health hazards and consequences.
The study will
also help teachers and counselors to know and acknowledge students knowledge
and attitude to sexually transmitted diseases and how best they can help
students in the area of sexuality.
The result
of the study will help to reawaken parents and teachers on their roles in
educating the adolescents on sexual matters. It will at the same time help to
challenge our adolescents to healthy sexual relationships in order to avoid
contacting HIV virus and STDs, unwanted pregnancies and abortion among others.
To the
general public, it is hoped that the findings of this study will; and
especially Elders and the Clergy, they would also acknowledge their personal
dispositions to guard the adolescents in words and action towards wholesome
attitude and knowledge to sexually transmitted diseases.
SCOPE OF THE
STUDY
The study is
designed to find the level of knowledge and attitude of Secondary School
students of Lauvn local government area Niger state, towards Sexually
transmitted diseases. The study will investigate the students’ knowledge and
attitude towards Sexually transmitted diseases, focusing on signs and symptoms,
mode of transmission, and control.
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