AWARENESS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

The purpose of this study was to awareness of sexually transmitted diseases among University of Benin Students. Three research questions were raised to guide the study. A descriptive survey research design was used in this study. The population for the study comprised of all female undergraduate students across the halls of residence in University of Benin, Ugbowo campus, Benin City. One hundred and ninety (190) female undergraduate students were sampled for the study. A self-structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection which was validated by the researcher’s supervisor and two other experts. Test retest reliability technique was used to ascertain the reliability of the research instrument which yielded a reliability score of 0.85. Data collected was analyzed using frequency, percentages, as well as mean and standard deviation. Results of the study revealed that there is a high level of awareness and positive attitudes as regards the effect of usage of family planning among female students in University of Benin. However, in terms of practice, undergraduate female students in University of Benin were found to have poor practice. The study thus concluded that there is an obvious gap that requires policy decisions at all levels of educational interventions in Universities. Based on the findings, it was recommended that family planning awareness programme should be included in formal education system especially in the school curricula so that school girls can acquire correct knowledge from reliable and socially accepted sources rather than from peers, magazines, etc. Also, health care workers are hereby recommended to always give adequate, accurate and detailed information about family planning services to decrease their inconsistent use.