Abstract

The study was designed to assess the level of knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and possible factors associated with knowledge of patients attending outpatient clinic in University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. This is to enable appropriate advocacy targeted on at risk population so as to control sexually transmitted infections and prevent its complications in this environment. A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out on patients attending outpatient clinics of the hospital from February to July, 2010. All volunteered participants were given a self-administered structured questionnaire. Out of the 592 interviewed, 242 (40.9%) were males and 350 (59.1%) were females. Although, knowledge of sexually transmitted infections was high in the general population, especially  among those with postsecondary school education (85.4%) and the drivers (90.9%), it was relatively low among the adolescents and the youths who are the most vulnerable in this environment (χ2 = 14.343; p < 0.05). News media was the highest source of information about Sexually Transmitted Infections. Age, educational level and the type of occupation appear to be important factors affecting knowledge. Therefore, health education about Sexually transmitted infections targeted at this risk group may yield positive result.

 
Key words: Sexually transmitted infections (STI), knowledge, Ekiti, Nigeria, youths and adolescents.