Abstract:
This study investigated adolescent students‟ knowledge of sexually transmitted infections
and sexual behaviours in eastern region schools for the deaf in Ghana. Descriptive survey
design was used for the study. The researcher used HIV- Knowledge Questionnaire (Carey &
Schroder, 2002) to assess the knowledge of respondents on types, mode, prevention, signs and
symptoms of sexually transmitted infections and sexual behaviours. Five research questions and
three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Stratified sampling technique and simple
random sampling technique were employed. Proportional representation was used to select a
sample of ninety-five (95) adolescent students with deafness from JHS2 and JHS3 between the
ages of 13 and 24 years. Data were analyzed descriptively into frequencies and percentages
using SSPS software version 23.0. The t- test with 95% confidence level was used to test the
three hypotheses. The results of the study indicated that the students had knowledge on some of
the types of sexually transmitted infections such as Gonorrhea, Syphilis and HIV/AIDS. They
however, had inadequate knowledge on sexually transmitted infections such as Hepatitis B and
Chlamydia. Majority of the students were conversant with the mode of transmission of sexually
transmitted infections, its preventions and signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted
infections. Most of the students engaged in risky sexual behaviours which increases their
potential of acquiring sexually transmitted infections. The study found no significant difference
in the knowledge of adolescent boys and girls in Koforidua school for the deaf, Kibi School for
the Deaf and Demonstration school for the deaf, Mampong Akwapim on the types, mode,
prevention, diagnosis, signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted infections. The provision of
education on sexually transmitted infections in Koforidua, Kibi and Demonstration School for
the Deaf, Mampong Akwapim should center on both the common STIs such as HIV/AIDS,
gonorrhea and syphilis and the uncommon ones such as cancroids, genital herpes,
Chlamydia.The teachers of the schools for the deaf in the Eastern Region should help equip
adolescent students with the skills that will enable them to put knowledge into practice
Description:
A thesis in the department of Special Education,
Faculty of Educational Studies, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies, in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Special Education)
in the University of Education, Winneba
