Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practises On Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections Among the Youths in Bugolobi Town, January 2018.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................. i

LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... iv

LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................................... v

DECLARATION ........................................................................................................................... vi

APPROVAL ................................................................................................................................. vii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS .................................................................... viii

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................. ix

ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................... x

CHAPTER ONE............................................................................................................................. 1

1.0. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1

1.1. BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................... 1

1.2. PROBLEM STATEMENT.................................................................................................. 3

1.3. STUDY OBJECTIVES........................................................................................................ 4

1.3.1. BROAD OBJECTIVE.................................................................................................. 4

1.3.2. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES............................................................................................. 4

1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS ................................................................................................. 4

1.5. JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY ................................................................................... 4

1.6. STUDY SCOPE................................................................................................................... 5

1.6.1. GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE.......................................................................................... 5

1.6.2. CONTENT SCOPE...................................................................................................... 5

1.6.3. TIME SCOPE............................................................................................................... 5

1.7. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK........................................................................................ 5

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................. 7

2.0. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 7

2.1. KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING STIs/STDs...................................................................... 7

2.2. ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES CONCERNING STIs/STDS......................................... 9

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................... 11

3.0. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 11

3.1. STUDY DESIGN........................................................................................................... 11

ii

3.2. STUDY AREA............................................................................................................... 11

3.3. TARGET POPULATION.............................................................................................. 11

3.4. STUDY POPULATION ................................................................................................ 11

3.5. SELECTION CRITERIA............................................................................................... 11

3.5.1. INCLUSION CRITERIA ........................................................................................... 11

3.5.2. EXCLUSION CRITERIA ...................................................................................... 11

3.6. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE............................................................................................ 11

3.7. SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION ............................................................................ 11

3.8. DATA COLLECTION METHODS & TOOLS ............................................................ 12

3.9. QUALITY CONTROL .................................................................................................. 12

3.10. LIMITATIONS & DELIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY......................................... 12

3.11. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................... 12

CHAPTER FOUR: STUDY FINDINGS...................................................................................... 13

4.0. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 13

4.1. Sociodemographic Characteristics of the Respondents ................................................. 13

4.2. Knowledge of Bugolobi Youth ...................................................................................... 14

4.3. Attitude of Bugolobi youth towards STIs/STDs............................................................ 15

4.4. Practice of Bugolobi youth pertaining STIs................................................................... 16

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSIONS OF THE STUDY FINDINGS.............................................. 19

5.0. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 19

5.1. DISCUSSIONS.................................................................................................................. 19

CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STUDY .............. 21

6.0. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 21

6.1. CONCLUSIONS............................................................................................................ 21

6.2. RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................... 21

6.2.1. To the Youth of Bugolobi....................................................................................... 21

6.2.2. To the Health Care Providers and other Players in the Reproductive Health Sector

21

6.2.3. To the governing Authorities and Ministry of Health ............................................ 22

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 23

APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................. 2

ABSTRACT Introduction: STIs/STDs are becoming neglected despite their contribution in morbidity and mortality. This could have resulted from the fact that most of them have become treatable since the discovery of effective antibiotics. This neglect has led to them creeping back with development of resistant strains that are hard to eradicate. The most affected group is the sexually active, highly experimental and naïve youth whose knowledge influences their attitudes and practice concerning STIs/STDS. Of more importance is the fact that most STIs are gateway infections to contraction of the deadly HIV and if STIs can be put on check, HIV spread can be stalled. Given the public health importance, morbidity and mortality burden, plus the cost implications of neglecting STIs/STDs and their complications, plus the fact that neglecting them bears the risk of curtailing the HIV/AIDS scourge, a study into the knowledge, attitude and practice of the youth (most vulnerable) was conducted. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices on sexually transmitted diseases among the youths in Bugolobi Town in January 2018. Method: A descriptive study design was used which applied both qualitative and quantitative approaches in data collection and involved 114 study participants from Bugolobi. Results: The knowledge level of Bugolobi youth on STIs/STDs was high (98.25%) but their attitude was negative and practice poor as far as STI/STD prevention was concerned. Risky sexual practice e.g. with strangers (sex workers and for material gain) was rampant. Conclusion: Despite the youth of Bugolobi having satisfactory knowledge level concerning STIs/STDs, their attitude, and consequently practices, are wanting. Still a lot needs to be done to convert the knowledge into attitude change and appropriate practices. Recommendations: The youth need to change their attitudes and practices, refrain from early sexual debut and embrace condom use at every sexual contact. More funds and efforts needed in awareness creation as pertains to STIs/STDs.