KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (STD) AMONG MASS COMMUNICATION STUDENTS IN BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major public health concern, particularly among young adults in tertiary institutions, due to their increasing engagement in high-risk sexual behaviours. This study assessed the level of knowledge and preventive practices regarding STDs among undergraduate students of the Department of Mass Communication, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State. This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 161 respondents from different academic levels in the Department of Mass Communication during the 2024/2025 academic session. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Out of the 161 questionnaires distributed, 158 were properly completed and valid for analysis, giving a response rate of 98.1%. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0, and results were presented in tables and charts using frequencies, percentages, means, and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that 90% of the respondents had good knowledge of STDs, with a grand mean score of 1.9 (cut-off = 1.5). About 65% demonstrated good preventive practices, while 35% exhibited poor practices, with a grand mean score of 2.9 (cut-off = 2.5). Factors such as educational exposure, peer influence, religion, and access to information significantly influenced students’ preventive behaviours (grand mean = 3.1). The chi-square test indicated a significant relationship between knowledge of STDs and preventive practices (χ² = 1.465, df = 1, p = 0.0114). The study concluded that although students demonstrated high knowledge of STDs, this did not always translate into consistent preventive practices. Cultural beliefs, stigma, and inadequate communication about sexual health contributed to risky behaviours. The study recommends continuous health education, nurse-led awareness programs, improved access to confidential testing and counselling services, and integration of sexual health education into university curricula to promote safer sexual behaviours among students and reduce the spread of STDs. Keywords: Knowledge, prevention, mass communication students, STD.

Identifiers

Resource ID

urn:uuid:592298db-3b21-4004-b745-b307a1616ede