Health seeking behaviour in relation to sexually transmitted infections among youth aged 15-24 years in bariadi district - Shinyanga

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.