PERCEPTIONS OF TERTIARY STUDENTS ON THE PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDS) USING CONDOMS -A CASE STUDY OF STUDENTS OF TAMALE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate tertiary student’s sexual behaviour and their knowledge and attitudes towards STDs, among students of University for Development Studies (UDS). The research design: data was collected by using a quantitative survey using self-answered questionnaire, from a sample of one hundred and thirty-four (n=134) out of a total student population of 3,881, using the simple random sampling technique in the data gathering process. Results/findings: out of the sample size of 134 students aged 15-44, 46.3% were males and 53.7% were females.About 24.6%, (n=33) have ever had sex without a condom. The study revealed that 99.3% ever heard of STDs, 85.1% had either below or average knowledge about the causes of STDs, 55.2% had knowledge above average on the prevention of STDs and more than 90% of the student sampled indicated that STDs are very common. Interestingly, 6.7% of the sampled population said STDs are mainly female infections. Recommendations: There is need for wider education at various levels of the educational system on STDs by health care providers, and effective collaboration among health care providers, social activists, NGOs and tertiary students to promote peer education on STDs prevention among students.