Awareness and Practice of Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Demonstration Secondary School Students, University of Maiduguri, Borno State

Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections are a major health problem across the globe and adolescence seems to be worst heat evidenced by increasing incidences of STDs among this age grades. This study assesses Awareness and Practice Preventive of Measures regarding (STDs) among Students of Demonstration Secondary School Maiduguri, Borno State. The study adopted survey method and used both primary and secondary data using questionnaire. One hundred twenty-one (121) respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that majority of the respondents (71%) could identify HIV/AIDs as common examples of STIs followed by Gonorrhea with 55.5%. However, respondents could not reasonably identify other forms of STIs evidenced by syphilis (9.9%), Herpes Simplex (5.8%) and Chlamydia (5%). On the awareness of the mode of transmission STDs (65%) agreed that STDs can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, sharing of underwear (35%). Regarding prevention, (72.7%) agreed that STIs are preventable. Majority of the respondents (72%) also identified Health Education Lesson as their main source of information on STIs closely followed by Radio/Television and Friends with (44%), (40%) respectively. Although, this study revealed moderate awareness about respondents on common types of STDs, there is a need to do more by relevant authorities in order save our tomorrows’ leaders from this clearly avoidable menace. Based on results of the study, the researchers recommended that Health Education lesson should be sustained. However, other forms of STIs should equally be considered in order to broaden the awareness respondents on STIs generally. Similarly, there is a need to intensify effort on preventive measures as well as negative use of social media.