1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact (1). The contact is usually vaginal, oral, and anal sex. But sometimes they can spread through other intimate physical contact (1). This is because some STIs like herpes and HPV, are spread by skin to skin contact. Global evidence shows that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevalence and sexual risk behaviors are high among youth, and knowledge about STIs is low. In Tanzania, there is limited recent evidence regarding these issues (2). Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) are as old as mankind and epidemics are mentioned already in the Old Testament (3). The Late 19th and beginning of 20th century, STIs was discovered due to many achievements of microbiology and chemistry. Nowadays STIs are considered as public health issues (6). Limited global data are available on the occurrence of STIs among youth aged 15–24 years (UN definition for youth), although some evidence exists that gonorrhea, but not chlamydia, rates are higher in this age group than in individuals over 24 years (5). More evidence is available on high risk sexual behavior among youth, with two reviews, one on Low-and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) and one on sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries showing that high proportions of adolescents (10–19 years) had low condom use, sex before 15 years of age (especially among girls), and multiple sexual partners. With respect to knowledge, most studies focus on HIV, but the few studies from countries in SSA that assessed knowledge of STIs among youth showed an overall low level of knowledge in this population (1). In Tanzania approximately 17% of children under the age of 15 years had been infected by STIs, and about 50% of STIs occur before the age of 29years (9). The problem with most STIs is that, it can be symptom free and can thus be passed on unaware during unprotected sexual intercourse. On an individual level, complications can include pelvic inflammatory diseases and possibly lead to ectopic pregnancies in women and infertility

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are considered to be among the major health problem affecting adolescence. Tanzania government and non-governmental organizations play a great role in providing knowledge and awareness to the adolescents on STIs but the response of adolescence to that knowledge and awareness is still low and the STIs tend to increase among these adolescence (11). In Tanzania the STIs are still a public health challenge as high numbers of people are affected. Thus education on STIs is still important to be provided for new population and the existing population to reduce the number of people affected with STIs in Tanzania. This study aims at determining the level of knowledge on STIs among secondary school students.

1.3 RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to determine the extent of the basic knowledge adolescents concerning sexually transmitted infections and providing important information on the areas of weakness and suggesting measures to be taken by health sector and other stakeholders in order to reduce the prevalence of STIs among adolescents.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

The research question was what is the level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards STI’s among secondary students?

1.5 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1.5.1 Broad objectives

To assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards sexually transmitted infections among secondary students on Nyamagana district.

1.5.2 Specific objectives

 To assess knowledge towards STIs among secondary students on Nyamagana district.
 To assess attitude towards STIs among secondary students on Nyamagana district.
 To assess practice towards STIs among secondary students on Nyamagana district.