Adolescent students’ knowledge on sexually transmitted infections and sexual behaviours in Eastern Region schools for the deaf, Ghana

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