Youth contract of some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) In Edo Central, Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, as noted in the „National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development‟, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) had constituted a silent epidemic or the major health problem for the country. Consequently, from a total of 783 randomly selected youth ages 10-24 years in Edo Central Nigeria, this study examined youth contract of some STIs. Data tended to reveal first, that the males were slightly in excess of the females among the respondents. Secondly, that the bulk of the respondents was „never married‟ (84.6%). Thirdly, that majority of youth (76.7%) in Edo Central, Nigeria was engaged in educational activities, that is, as students. Finally, the prevalence of Gonorrhea, herpes simplex, Chlamydia, trachomatis, genital warts, syphilis, staph aureus and HIV/AIDS at 6.5, 0.4, 0.8, 2.6, 1.9, 1.0 and 1.3 percent among youth was found. It was, therefore, asserted in this study that STIs can cause infertility, serious illness, disability and death if left untreated. Hence, it is advised that youths should abstain from pre-marital sexual intercourse and consult a physician if they have STIs, among others.

Key Words: Youth, Contract, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Pre-marital Sexual Intercourse, STIs Prevalence and Edo Central.