| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: In Uganda adolescents have an average of 1.8 sexual partners and only 54% use
condoms despite extensive voluntary counseling and testing strategies all over the country to
prevent STIs (Renzaho, et al., 2017). This puts the youth at risk of getting sexually transmitted
infections. Therefore a study on the level of knowledge, attitude and practices towards the
prevention of sexually transmitted infections among the youths in Bidi Bidi Refugee Camp was
carried out.
Methods:A descriptive and cross sectional research design using qualitative method of data
collection were used to carry out this study. A sample size of 420 respondents who were youth at
Youth Center was used. Data was collected using a face to face structured and semi structured
interviews. And presented as a descriptive data using frequency tables and pie chart.
Results: Respondents had moderate knowledge towards the prevention of STIs as all 420
(100%) had ever heard of prevention of STIs, 302 (79%) understood it as safe sexual
intercourse and avoid body and blood contact, 267 (64%) knew HIV and gonorrhea as the
commonest STIs, 187 (61%) knew condoms as a preventive measure while 176 (42%)
reported painful urination and itching as the major signs and symptoms of STIs. Respondents
generally had negative attitude towards the prevention of STIs as290(69%) not freely seek
STIs VCT services, 319 (76%) felt not at risk of STIs infection,345 (82%) marry any partner
regardless of their sex history and 328 (78%) would not regularly use a condom.
The practices towards prevention of STIs were generally poor as 265 (63%) were not married
but 184 (47%) had two partners and more, 353 (84%) had been in more than one sexual
relationship of recent, 322 (77%) had never used condoms, 298 (71%) had ever used drugs
before and during sex intercourse. Majority 244 (58%) had never undergone STIs VCT
services and 386 (92%) never first tested for STIs before sexual intercourse with new sexual
partner.
Conclusions and recommendations:In conclusion respondents had moderate knowledge
about prevention of STIs but had negative attitude and poor practices towards STIs
prevention. The study recommends that, youth are counseled about better ways of STIs
prevention through behavioral change of regular condom use, being faithful and abstain
from sex. | en_US |
