Abstract:
A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in Bariadi District during May-June 2002 to
explore health seeking behaviour in relation to STI among the youth. A total of 456
youths were interviewed.
The results of this study indicate that 67.4% of the youth mentioned microorganisms as a
cause of STI while 97% of the youth mentioned sexual intercourse to be the route of
transmission, but when asked who were the type of people who get STI they said
anybody (87.4%) and promiscuous 21.2%. On the meaning attached to STIs, the
majority reported that they would be worried if their friends or they themselves
contracted an STI.
Regarding STIs prevention, 55.8% of all the respondents identified the condom as a
preventive measure of STIs. Abstinence was mentioned by 51.3 % of the respondents,
but only 18.3 percent mentioned faithfulness. Among those who had had an STI, 18.4%
sought treatment from the traditional healer while 81.6 percent sought treatment from
the formal health sector. Among those who had had no STI but knew people with STI
said 43.5% had sought treatment from the traditional healer while 56.4% had sought
treatment from the formal health sector. These findings indicate a need to develop
educational media on STI and a further research on factors affecting utilization of health
services in relation to STI.
