Awareness And Prevention Of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Women Attending Antenatal Clinic

1.1 Background To the Study

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a significant public health concern globally, particularly in low and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Among the most vulnerable populations to STIs are women attending antenatal clinics, where the intersection of reproductive health and the risk of infection becomes particularly salient. Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, faces a considerable burden of STIs, with women disproportionately affected due to various socio-cultural, economic, and biological factors. This introduction aims to explore the awareness and prevention of STIs among women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria, highlighting the current landscape, challenges, and potential interventions.

Nigeria bears a substantial burden of STIs, including HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and others. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world, with an estimated 1.9 million people living with HIV in 2020, of which 51% were women (WHO, 2021). Additionally, other STIs contribute significantly to the overall disease burden, impacting the reproductive health and well-being of women across the country.

Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics represent a particularly vulnerable group concerning STIs. Antenatal care serves as a critical gateway to healthcare services during pregnancy. However, in Nigeria, access to and utilization of antenatal care services may be hindered by various factors, including geographical remoteness, financial constraints, and cultural beliefs (NPC and ICF 2019). Consequently, this can lead to undetected and untreated STIs among pregnant women, posing risks to maternal and neonatal health.

Despite the pervasive nature of STIs, there are notable gaps in awareness and knowledge among women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria. Many women may lack comprehensive information about STIs, including their modes of transmission, symptoms, prevention strategies, and available treatment options. This deficiency in knowledge can impede timely diagnosis, treatment, and prevention efforts, perpetuating the cycle of STI transmission within communities.

Several challenges hinder effective prevention of STIs among women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria. These challenges encompass a wide array of socio-economic, cultural, and healthcare system factors. Limited access to quality healthcare services, including antenatal care and STI screening, especially in rural and marginalized communities, poses a significant barrier to prevention efforts (Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria, 2017). Furthermore, stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence can deter women from seeking STI testing and treatment, further exacerbating the problem, (Izugbara, C. O., et al. 2019).

Addressing the awareness and prevention of STIs among women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach. Comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education programs targeting women, their partners, and communities can enhance awareness and knowledge about STIs, thereby empowering individuals to make informed decisions regarding their sexual health (Ikeako, L. C., et al. 2015). Strengthening healthcare systems to ensure equitable access to antenatal care, STI screening, and treatment services is crucial ((NACA, 2019). Additionally, addressing socio-cultural barriers, such as stigma and gender inequality, through community engagement and advocacy efforts can help create an enabling environment for STI prevention and control (WHO, 2016).

Hence, STIs pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria. Addressing the awareness and prevention of STIs among this population requires coordinated efforts from healthcare providers, policymakers, communities, and individuals. By implementing evidence-based interventions and strategies that address knowledge gaps, overcome barriers to access, and promote gender equity, Nigeria can make significant strides towards reducing the burden of STIs and improving the reproductive health outcomes of women attending antenatal clinics.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) remain a pressing public health issue among women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria, yet there exists a notable gap in both awareness and prevention efforts. Despite various interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of STIs, the burden persists, particularly among this vulnerable population. This statement elucidates the multifaceted challenges hindering effective awareness and prevention of STIs among women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address these issues.

Many women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria lack comprehensive knowledge about STIs, including their modes of transmission, symptoms, and available prevention strategies. This deficiency in awareness hampers timely diagnosis and treatment, consequently contributing to the perpetuation of the STI epidemic (Ikeako, L. C. 2015).

Access to quality healthcare services, including antenatal care and STI screening, is hindered by various socio-economic factors such as poverty, geographical remoteness, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. These barriers impede women's ability to seek timely testing and treatment for STIs, exacerbating the spread of infections (NPC, 2019).

Stigma surrounding STIs and gender inequality further exacerbate the problem among women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria. Fear of social ostracization and discrimination prevents many women from seeking STI testing and treatment, perpetuating the cycle of infection transmission within communities (Izugbara, 2019).

The healthcare system in Nigeria faces significant challenges, including understaffing, insufficient medical supplies, and inadequate funding. These systemic deficiencies undermine the provision of comprehensive antenatal care services, including STI screening and treatment, thereby impeding efforts to mitigate the burden of STIs among women (Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria, 2017)).

While various STI prevention programs exist in Nigeria, there is a notable absence of targeted interventions specifically tailored to address the needs of women attending antenatal clinics. The lack of comprehensive and context-specific initiatives undermines efforts to effectively combat STIs within this vulnerable population (WHO, 2016).

The awareness and prevention of STIs among women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria represent a complex and multifaceted problem, characterized by limited awareness, socio-economic barriers, stigma, healthcare system deficiencies, and a dearth of targeted interventions. Addressing these challenges is paramount to reducing the burden of STIs and improving the reproductive health outcomes of women in Nigeria..

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to find out the awareness and prevention of sexually transmitted infections among women attending antenatal clinic (a case study of Kuje area council, Abuja). Specifically, the study aims at the following:

i. To ascertain the level of knowledge of women attending antenatal clinic on the signs and symptoms of STDs.

ii. To find out the extent to which the women attending antenatal clinic know of the mode of transmission.

iii. To ascertain their knowledge of the control of STDs

iv. To find out the attitude of women attending antenatal clinic towards STDs. 

1.4 Research Questions

To carry out the study, the following research questions were formulated to guide the study,

i. What is the level of knowledge of women attending antenatal clinic on the signs and symptoms of STDs?

ii. To what extent do women attending antenatal clinic know the modes of transmission of STDs?

iii. To what extent are women attending antenatal clinic aware of the control of STDs?

iv. What are the women attending antenatal clinic’ attitudes towards STDs?

1.5 Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses will be tested at 0.05 level of significance to guide the study.

HO1: There is no significant difference between the mean responses of male and female women attending antenatal clinic on their knowledge of various STDs.

HO2: There is no significant difference between the mean scores on attitude of women attending antenatal clinic  towards STDs based on gender.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study if published will be of immense benefits to the ministry of Education, teachers, parents, curriculum developers and the general public.

It is hoped that the findings of this study will spur the Federal Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to articulate effective programmes on sex education for women attending antenatal clinic. It is hoped that these ministries will train and equip peer educators who will further educate women attending antenatal clinic on the right knowledge and attitude towards sexually transmitted diseases; steering through it’s related health hazards and consequences.

The study will also help teachers and counselors to know and acknowledge women knowledge and attitude to sexually transmitted diseases and how best they can help women in the area of sexuality.

The result of the study will help to reawaken parents and teachers on their roles in educating the adolescents on sexual matters. It will at the same time help to challenge our adolescents to healthy sexual relationships in order to avoid contacting HIV virus and STDs, unwanted pregnancies and abortion among others. To the general public, it is hoped that the findings of this study will; and especially Elders and the Clergy, they would also acknowledge their personal dispositions to guard the adolescents in words and action towards wholesome attitude and knowledge to sexually transmitted diseases.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study is designed to find the level of awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted infection among women attending antenatal clinic. The study will investigate the women’ knowledge and attitude towards Sexually transmitted diseases, focusing on signs and symptoms, mode of transmission, and control. The study was carried out at  Kuje area council, Abuja.

1.8 Limitation Of The Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

1.9   Definition Of Terms

Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood. Adolescence is usually associated with the teenage years, but its physical, psychological or cultural expressions may begin earlier or end later.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are infections or conditions that you can get from any kind of sexual activity involving your mouth, anus, vagina or penis. Another common name for STIs is sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. There are several types of STIs.

1.10 Organization Of The Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

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