GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE ATTITUDE OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TOWARDS PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs)

Abstract

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a major global cause of acute illness, infertility, long-term disability and death with serious medical and psychological consequences of millions of men, women and infants, as a result are contemporary public health concerns. Recent data has shown that both young men and women are heavily affected by STIs but young women face the most serious long-term health consequences. Due to their high prevalence, particularly in developing settings, STIs result in substantial productivity losses for individuals and communities, particularly where the majority of the population is less than 40 years of age. STIs are serious problems for adolescents and young people. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine the gender differences in the attitude of Imo State University students towards preventive measures of STIs. Understanding factors (e.g. knowledge, attitudes and skills) influencing sexual behaviours of university students are critical to develop targeted and tailored risk reduction interventions for this vulnerable population. This study employed the descriptive cross sectional research design. A survey sample consisted of 1140 university students, 475 (41.6%) of male and 665 (58.3%) female of Imo State University, Owerri were randomly selected. The instrument of data collection was the questionnaire and the method of data analysis was quantitative with simple percentage employed for measurement. The study finds out that to protect adolescents from these diseases, there is a need to educate them on STIs prevention by providing them with relevant information and equipping them with the right skills that will enable them put knowledge into practice. It is recommended that STIs-prevention programmes should take into account sex differences.