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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

 

Volume 3, Issue 1, 2012 pp 09-17

 

Research Article

 

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDS) Among Adolescents In Second Cycle Institutions In Accra, Ghana:  Trends In Sexual Behaviors

Stephen T. Odonkor^1*, Justice Nonvignon², Joseph Adu³ Mavis Okyere⁴ and Tahiru Mahami ⁵

¹Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSRI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, (GAEC) Accra, Ghana

²School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana

³ School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

⁴National Blood Transfusion Service, Korle-Bu, Accra.

⁵Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) Accra, Ghana

Academic Editor:  Dr. Pawar D.D.

 

Adolescents and youth form the vast majority of sexually active individuals.  Many of these young people are at risk with the consequences of unexpected pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STI). The objective of this study was to assess the sexual behaviors of adolescents. Questionnaires were used to obtain data from 250 adolescents between the ages of 15-25 years in a second cycle institution in Accra.  As much as 92.1% of the respondents� have had sex education before. About 49.2% have had sex between the ages of 13 and 18. Also 38.1% were led into having sex because they fell in love. 42.1% of respondents had more than one sexual partner. 35.7% of those who had sex said they used condom to protect themselves, 15.9% used vaginal foaming tablet and 41.3% used condom sometimes during sex.  Fifty nine respondents who have had sex education had sex between ages of thirteen and eighteen and only one had sex below 12 years.

Forty five percent of respondents who have had sex education protected themselves with condoms when having sex. 78.6% of respondents were aware they can get a sexually transmitted disease from having sex unprotected sex and 77.8% knew that sexually transmitted diseases can lead to infertility.

In conclusion, sex education does not really have an effect on adolescent sexual behaviours. Knowledge on of sexually transmitted diseases did not reflect on how and when adolescents get involved in sex.