Pattern of sexually transmitted infection cases at a tertiary health facility in Rivers State, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: This study assessed the pattern of sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases at the sexual and reproductive health clinic in a tertiary health facility in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to retrospectively review 502 patient records from January 2019 to December 2023. Data were collected through a structured extraction sheet and analysed using SPSS version 27, with descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Chi-Square test.
Results: The median age of the respondents was 28 years, the range was 60 years, with the majority being single (342, 68.1 %), males (263, 52.4%), and urban residents (397, 79.1%). The highest number of cases (115, 30.9%) occurred in 2019. Genital warts were the most common STI, affecting adolescents aged 10–19 (75, 33.3%), females (3, 50.0%), and those who were separated. Significant associations were found between STI patterns and age (χ² = 110.26; p < 0.001), sex (χ² = 123.47; p < 0.001), marital status (χ² = 61.47; p < 0.005), and year of presentation (χ² = 93.85; p < 0.001). HIV status (χ² = 38.32; p ≤ 0.004). and a previous history of STI (χ² = 28.53; p ≤ 0.054).
Conclusion: Genital warts are the most common STI; they disproportionately affect young people, while the older population experiences more fungal infections and herpes. Females were more likely to experience multiple STIs. The study recommends early sexual health education and HPV vaccination, especially among adolescents, to curb STI spread.