KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS I AMONG STUDENTS OF FACULTY OF BASIC SOCIAL SCIENCE IN ADELEKE UNIVERSITY EDE, OSUN STATE

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY Sexually transmitted Infections are those that are contracted mainly through sexual intercourse (WHO, 2023). They include curable ones like gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia infection as well as incurable but modifiable ones like HIV, herpes simples, human papilloma virus (HPV) and hepatitis B infection. Sexually transmitted infections continue to be a significant health problem worldwide, affecting individuals across various age group and demographics (Smith, et al., 2016). Among young adult including colleges and university undergraduates, the risk for contacting STIs is of peculiar concern due to changing sexual behaviors, limited awareness, and a lack of comprehensive sexual education. Adolescents and young adults, aged 18–24 years, are more at risk for STIs than older adults (Strome., & Moore 2022). The World Health Organization estimates that 20% of persons living with HIV/AIDS are in their 20s and one out of twenty adolescent’s contract an STI each year (WHO, 2018). Recent data indicate an alarming rise in STIs. Factors such as increased sexual activities, changing relationship dynamics, and inadequate sexual education contribute to this trend. While previous studies have explored various aspects of sexual health education and STI awareness, there remains a gap in understanding how undergraduates specifically perceive, access, and utilize information related to STIs. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating the awareness and knowledge of STIs among young adult (Ahmad, 2020). Youths are more likely to practice unprotected sex, have multiple sexual partners, and have trans generational and transactional sex. The cervical lining in female adolescents and young women makes them more predisposed to STIs (WHO, 2021). In addition, they may have problems getting 2 the required information, services, and supplies they need to avoid STIs. They may also experience difficulties in accessing STI prevention services because they do not know where to find them, do not have transportation to get there, or cannot pay for the services. Even if they can obtain STI prevention services, they may not feel comfortable in places that are not youth friendly. According to Shandra 2020, Untreated or poorly treated STIs are associated with a lot of complications. In males, gonorrhea as well as chlamydia trachomatis infection causes epididymitis which can result in infertility in the future. In addition, inflammatory urethral stricture may arise from poorly treated gonococcal urethritis in the future. This may lead to urinary retention and possibly chronic renal failure if not properly managed. For the females, pelvic inflammatory disease, dyspareunia, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, increased risk of ectopic pregnancies, abortions, stillbirths, and perinatal and neonatal morbidities can occur, jeopardizing their future reproductive competences (Amu, 2019). Knowledge of STI and their complications is important for adequate prevention and treatment, as people who do not know the symptoms may fail to recognize their need and so may not seek help. Knowledge of other STIs apart from HIV/AIDS is low in the developing world.