Risk Factors of Contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Students
CHAPTER ONE
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this research study is to examine the various factors that combine to determine the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections among students in Ekosodin community. The level to which students in Ekosodin are knowledgeable about sexually transmitted infections, the intending inventory to provide an estimate of the risk factors and ways in which one can prevent the contraction of sexually transmitted infections. The study would also look into student’s behavior and sexual activities which expose them to contracting sexually transmitted infections.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
The fresh undergraduates of university are in the adolescence stage, which falls between 14 to 22 years of age. It is a critical stage in life because this is the time that a debut is made into sexual maturity and teenagers are prone to exploring their sexuality. Also, it is a period of independence decision when the individual assumes an adult role in the society. Hence, it is the period in which patterns of behaviour which has long-life consequences are formed and become established. The youth, who are students at this period are sexually active and are thus potentially at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDs and unwanted pregnancy. In humans, the onset of puberty stage marks the appearance of mature sexual desire. Sexual expression can take the form of masturbation or sex with a partner. Sexual interests among adolescents, as among adults, can vary greatly. This is because the physiological changes in reproductive organs that have occurred in the life of adolescents often serve as a motivating force in their quest to experiment with sex. As a result, some naturally explore and take risks in many aspects of their lives, including sexual relationships. Those who have sex may change partners frequently and have more than one partner in the same time period or engage in unprotected sex. According to Arowojolu, Ilesanmi, Roberts and Okunola (2002), these risky sexual activities may subject the adolescents to STI/HIV and unwanted pregnancies. In his own contribution, Azuzu (1994) expressed that a normal adolescent of 14 years would have developed a natural feeling that would want him to be touched, loved, and cared for by someone of the opposite sex. Also, Okanlawon (2004) believed that majority of the adolescents of ages 12 years and above have developed a normal sexual drive which is normally present in all people. During this stage, sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, present throughout life, are often accentuated during adolescence. As a result of the biological and physiological changes, most adolescents will like to experiment their heightened sexual desire. However, in the process of experimentation of their sexual feelings, they resort to engaging in pre-marital sexual intercourse without having adequate knowledge or awareness of the danger inherent in it. This perhaps explained why Abu and Akerele (2006) concluded that adolescents and even the virgins among them may behave in ways that put them at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Furthermore, Mulwo (2009) argued that students’ effort to comprehend the meaning of their sexual feelings and their sexual orientation makes them to seek instant pleasure with little or no thought of the consequences.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to examine the risk factors of contracting sexually transmitted infections among secondary school students in Edo state.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source and Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the impact of sexually transmitted disease and it implications among secondary school students.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of sexually transmitted disease among secondary school student in Edo state.
Summary
Based on the findings of this study it can be summarized that, there is very high risk of spread of STDs among young persons in the society, but the present studies will help the caregivers and adolescents to be aware of various forms, signs, symptoms, mode of transmission and control STDs. There is therefore, an urgent need for responsive Counseling services in Nigeria schools and the society at large.
Conclusion
This study has been able to access the knowledge and the implications of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among secondary school students. The study concludes that adolescents in Etinan Local Government have a fair knowledge of Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It suggests that government and relevant organizations should reach out wider to schools and engage in mass enlightenment programmes for students in rural areas in other for them to have adequate knowledge of the problem. It also suggests that parents and the extended family should also intensify their efforts in educating their adolescents on this menace.
Recommendations
From the finding of this study, the following recommendations are made: 1. School Psychologist and counsellors should organize group guidance programme for caregivers and adolescents in school system, churches and recreational centre with the aim of educating young people about STDs. The content of the programme should be ways to reduce the risk of STDs. 2. Voluntary HIV Test before marriage should be emphasized.
- Expansion of Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARD) should made available s to HIV patient.
- Government should introduce programme to reduce poverty at individual family as well as community levels such programme should include home base care for people with HIV/AIDS, foster care for AIDS orphans, food programme for the children and support for educational experience.
- Sex education should be build into school curriculum in senior secondary school classes (SSS I-III).
Reference
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- Achebe, C.C. (1988).: Theories of individual Counselling; the Nigerian Situation . Enugu : Snaap.
- Amanda, L. (2003). The coming of AIDS virus. Lagos: Olympic Press.
- American Heritage (2000) Dictionary of English Language, America: 4th edition Hougton Mifflin Company Publication.
- Anyanagbu. C. (2000). Knowledge or awareness of undergraduate students of University of Nigeria towards AIDS. Unpublished undergraduate project. University of Nigeria Nsukka.
- Arken, L.R. (1999), psychological Testing and Assessment. Bostow: Allyn and Bacon. Armstrong, G.T. (1992). Everyone should know. Lagos: Simarch Nig. Ltd.
- Armstrong, G.T. (1992). Your Marriage can be Happy. California Ambassador College Press.
