PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SYMPTOMS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG NEVER MARRIED ADOLESCENTS AGED 15-19 YEARS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Sexually Transmitted infections (STIs) symptoms have become common among adolescents in Nigeria in spite of the associated adverse health consequences. Generally, data on symptoms of sexually transmitted infections among adolescents in Nigeria are localised with small findings that may not be representative. A 2007 National HIV/AIDS and reproductive health survey (NARHS) was conducted to obtain accurate HIV prevalence estimate and information on risk factors related to HIV infection at the national zonal and to some extent at state levels. This study was reanalysed in order to assess the prevalence and risk factors related to the symptoms of STIs. NARHS is a nationally representative household survey of females (15-49 years) and males (15-64 years). Probability sampling was used for the survey. The sampling procedure was a four level multistage cluster sampling aimed at selecting the eligble persons with known probability. Prevalence of STI symptoms was evaluated for and the variable was accessed by questions asking respondents whether in the last 12 months before the survey they had had a STI symptom. Knowledge of the respondents was scored. Respondents were scored based on the questions asked on the description of STI symptoms. The total number of questions used was 15. Those that scored between 0 and 5 were classified as poor knowledge; 6-15 was classified as good knowledge. Four symptoms of STI were discussed in men while eight STI symptoms were discussed in women. The risk factors associated with STI symptoms were also determined using chi square and logistic regression. The mean age of the respondents was 16+1.4 years with 41% being males and 59% being females. The prevalence of STI symptoms was 4.5% with genital itching topping the list (3.2%), followed by genital discharge (2.4%) and lastly, genital ulcer/sore (0.5%). Those with poor knowledge were 87.9%. Health seeking behaviour of the respondents differed by sex (36.6%) and (63.4%) for males and some selected sociodemographic variables, only age and education were significant with P value 0.005 and 0.014 respectively. There was a gap in knowlegde level between females and males. Multiple sexual partners, sexual intercourse at early age, unprotected sex were found to be risk factors associated with STI symptoms. Therefore, there should be health education and behaviour change communication programmes targeting young people in Nigeria.