Impact of Syndromic Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections among out of School Female Youths.

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of Syndromic Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections on out-of-school female youths in Sagamu Area of Ogun State. Sexually Transmitted Infections have posed major public health problem all over the world. The rate of STIs among the youth is becoming alarming.  Over twenty different organisms can be transmitted through sexual activity. Meanwhile the relationship between STIs and HIV infections makes management and control of STIs a major public health concern. STIs are now recognized as a serious global threat to the health of the youths. Quasi Experimental research design of one group pretest and post test was used for this study. Four research hypotheses were generated and tested. Eighty (80) female out of school youths were selected from Ten (10) trade organizations within Sagamu township of Ogun State through random sampling and purposive sampling method. The major instruments used for data collection is the ARFH 1996 , YDP 2007, ARFH 2008 prepared guide question on adolescents youths sexual health problem and STIs management. The reliability of the instrument was 0.85. The intervention training lasted for 4 weeks using 1 hour each day for 5 days from Mondays – Fridays. Data collection through pretest and post test questionnaire based on their knowledge, attitude and practice on youths out of school sexual health problems. The pair-t-test statistical analysis was used to analyze the data.

Based on data analysis, the result revealed that Syndromic Management have impact on urethra discharge symptoms and abnormal vaginal discharge symptoms while it has no impact on genital ulcer disease and Female lower abdominal pain (FLAP) symptoms among out of school female youths. Syndromic Management is recommended as a method to influence youths out of school on sexual behaviour. It is also recommended for the reduction of STIs, and other youths challenges such as prostitution, drug abuse, alcoholism, cultism, child abuse and rape.

Key Words--- Syndromic Management, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)