1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person through sexual contact. STIs are a common public health problem worldwide, with developing countries accounting for majority of cases. After years of neglect, greater global attention is being paid to the increasing incidence of STIs. More than 1 million STIs are acquired every day worldwide. In 2016, WHO estimated 376 million new infections occurred with one of the four curable STIs alone(1).

STIs can result in serious long term complications including pregnancy complications, fetal and neonatal demise, cancer, infertility, sexual dysfunction, and enhanced HIV transmission. In addition, STIs have been shown to have serious physical, psychological and social consequence, negatively impacting on social and economic well-being of affected persons.

During the adolescent period, teenagers are at a high risk from a number of negative health consequences associated with early and unsafe sexual activities, including sexually transmitted diseases and infection with human immunodeficiency virus(2). Previous studies have demonstrated that many adolescents and young adults are involved in sexual activities that elevate their risk of having STIs because of a lack of basic knowledge about reproductive biology and preventive method(3).

STIs education in our country syllabus is taught partially basing on the common STIs. Education, about contraceptives and other ways of preventing youth from STIs are not well stressed in our education systems. Comprehensive sex education is often lacking and contraceptive use remains low among adolescents and young adults. The majority of sexually active adolescents and young adults do not always use a condom(4).in Tanzania about 2.2million adults and children were estimated to have been infected with STDs including HIV/AIDS. The crisis is noted to be severe particularly for the youth. Approximately 17% of children under 15 years of age in Tanzania had been infected by STDs, and about 50% of the STDs occur before the age of 29 years(5). This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents and young adults visiting at SekouToure hospital.

1.2 Problem statement

Adolescents and young adults especially girls and women have a very high risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases including human immunodeficiency virus. This is partly due to low level of knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases and risk factors for their acquisition. There is scanty data on the level of knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents and youth in Nyamagana district. This study will fill this knowledge gap. It will also provide data to inform on developing interventions which will increase knowledge and awareness on sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents and young adults in Nyamagana district if it is found to be low. This will help to reduce the burden of sexually transmitted diseases including human immunodeficiency virus in this population group.

1.3 Rationale

Level of knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases is one among factors which facilitate increase of high number of adolescents and young adults acquiring the infections and being at risk of getting Human immunodeficiency virus. This study will help provide data and information on the level of knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases so as different strategies and plans can be used to increase the level of knowledge and awareness of STDs.

1.4 Research question

What is the level of knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents and young adults visiting SekouToure hospital in Nyamagana district?

1.5 Research objectives

1.5.1 Broad objectives

To assess the level of knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents and young adults visiting SekouToure hospital.

1.5.2 Specific objectives

1. To assess the level of knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents and young adults visiting SekouToure hospital in Nyamagana district.
2. To assess awareness of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents and young adults visiting SekouToure hospital.