The Influence of Knowledge and Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) on Change in Sexual Behaviour of Fresh Undergraduates of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the influence of knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases on change in sexualbehaviour of fresh undergraduates with a view to providing useful suggestions for positive sexual behaviour ofadolescents. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. A sample of 600 fresh undergraduates was selectedfrom the thirteen Faculties in O.A. U.; Ile-Ife, using convenience sampling technique. An adapted instrument titled“Questionnaire on Knowledge, Awareness of STDs and Sexual Behaviour” (QKASSB) was used to collectinformation from the respondents. The results showed that 93% of the fresh undergraduates had knowledge of themeaning of STDs, 88% of the respondents reported that they had awareness of STDs through media such as radio,television, internet etc. 88% of the respondents considered maturity as the first reason for change in fresh students’sexual behaviours. Finally, the result revealed a significant influence of sexual behaviour of fresh undergraduatesbefore and after gaining admission into university (t-test = 9.039, p < 0.05). It was concluded that freshundergraduates had better knowledge and got awareness of STD; But their exposure to new school environment hadpredisposed them to change in sexual behaviours.