Prevalence And Factors Influencing Occurrence Of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Adolescents Residing In Kamwenge Sub-County, Kamwenge District.

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is the time when the majority of people become sexually active, early initiation of sexual intercourse has been linked to increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during adolescence (PRB, 2013). , becoming infected with STIs during young adulthood has a significant impact on reproductive health such as inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, preterm birth, and fetal abnormalities, as well as an increased risk of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (CDC, 2017). The study sought to assess prevalence and factors influencing occurrence of STIs among adolescents residing in Kamwenge Sub County.

Methods: The study was across sectional study carried out among both in and out of school adolescents residing in Kamwenge Sub County. The respondents were selected by simple random sampling and purposive sampling. Data was collected using a researcher- administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS.

Results: The proportion of adolescents who had a sexually transmitted infection was 26% of boys and 21% of girls. In multiple regression analysis Age, religion, Relationship between parents and the adolescents, family income level were factors associated with sexually transmitted infection for both boys and girls. findings from key informants at the two health centers Kiziba and Kabuga health center three, sexual education was rated low, adolescent friendly services were available but limited to only HIV infected adolescents who only come for treatment at schedule period which is always on a Thursday.

Conclusion and Recommendations: There is need for improvement of ASRH services offered at the health centers, provision of counsellings, sex education and screening services should be ensured by the health facility authorities in the study area. In addition, the health work force at the study area should be trained in how to handle youth in a friendly manner that will probe adolescents to freely share their challenges in their sexuality life. The parents and guardians should freely interact with their children to protect them from getting false information about sex from wrong people like their peers.