Knowledge and Screening on Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Adults in Maiduguri Metropolis of Borno State Northern-Eastern, Nigeria

This study assessed the knowledge of adult on sexually transmitted diseases in Maiduguri metropolis of Borno State North-Eastern, Nigeria. In order to achieve this objective, one research objectives and one research question was formulated and three null hypotheses were tested. The theoretical frame work used for this study was theory of Health Belief Model developed by Stretcher and Rosentock. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is a theoretical framework used to understand health behaviours and possible reason for non-compliance with recommended health action. Related literature was reviewed under the following sub-headings: Concept of sexually transmitted infections, epidemiology/pathogenesis of sexually transmitted infections and Types of sexually transmitted infections. Survey research design was used for this study. The populations for this study was made up of ten thousand and-ten (10,010), INEC, 2019, and five hundred (500) respondents were sampled for the study using simple random sampling. Data were collected using questionnaire on knowledge and screening for sexually transmitted diseases among adult in Maiduguri metropolis (KSSTD). Five hundred respondents were sampled for this study and analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentages to describe the demographic characteristics of the respondents and to answer research questions. While, inferential statistics of Chi-square test was used to test the research hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level of significant. The result of the finding revealed that adult in Maiduguri metropolis had good knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases. Also, the result of the findings revealed statistically that knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases in Maiduguri metropolis among adult of different educational background did not differ significantly (p˃0.05). While, knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases between male and female in Maiduguri metropolis differed significantly (p˂0.05), and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases in Maiduguri metropolis among adult of different ethnic background did not differ significantly (p˃0.05). It was concluded that adult in Maiduguri metropolis have the knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases. For example some respondents believed that sexually transmitted infections is a blood borne diseases, furthermore, some respondents believed that viruses and bacteria are the causative agent of most sexually transmitted infection, while some respondents believed that sexually transmitted infections can be transmitted during sexual intercourse, from mother to her unborn child through umbilical cord or from mother to her child during child birth. It was also found some that respondents strongly agreed that HBV, HPV and HIV were commonly caused by viral infection, while syphilis, gonorrhoea, trachoma and chlamydia are caused by bacteria. And majority of the respondents in Maiduguri metropolis believed that going for screening regularly and before marriage can prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections like hepatitis B virus, human papilloma virus and HIV/AIDS. It was recommended that Government should embark on sensitizations workshops and public enlightenment campaigns to educate the general population of young adult on the sexually transmitted diseases and the importance of regular screening for sexually transmitted diseases. A well-organized health education campaigns and media (TV, radio and internet) are needed to improve public perceptions and understanding about sexually transmitted infections. Massive educational campaign that involves all stakeholders of society, including health care workers and community members, should be undertaking to make society more tolerant when it comes to issues of sexually transmitted diseases.