Awareness knowledge and attitudes toward sexually transmitted infections among undergraduate health sciences students at Olabisi Onabanjo University Nigeria
TL;DR
Undergraduate Health sciences students showed high STI awareness and positive attitudes, yet knowledge gaps and stigma persist, so targeted education and stigma-reduction interventions are needed to improve STI literacy and prevention.
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health challenge among young adults, particularly university students exposed to sexual health misinformation, stigma, and risky behaviours. Despite increased awareness campaigns, comprehensive knowledge and preventive attitudes remain inconsistent among Nigerian undergraduates. This study assesses awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward STIs and their interrelationships among undergraduate students in the College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu Campus, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 168 undergraduates selected via proportionate stratified sampling in the department of Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacology, and Medical Laboratory Science. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Reliability coefficients were 0.79, 0.82, and 0.76 for awareness, knowledge, and attitude domains. Scores ≥ 70% were categorised as adequate/positive. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26 with chi-square tests, Spearman’s correlation, and binary logistic regression. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Mean age was 22 ± 4.93 years. Adequate STI awareness was observed in 80.4% of students, while 61.6% had adequate knowledge, and 73.8% exhibited positive attitudes. STI awareness was significantly associated with knowledge, χ² (1, N = 168) = 64.96, p < 0.001, and knowledge with attitudes, χ²(1, N = 168) = 22.14, p < 0.001. Knowledge scores correlated positively with attitude scores, r = 0.472, p < 0.001. Logistic regression showed adequate knowledge (AOR = 4.26, 95% CI 2.01–9.03, p < 0.001) and awareness (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI 1.42–6.96, p = 0.005) predicted positive attitudes. Undergraduate Health sciences students showed high STI awareness and positive attitudes, yet knowledge gaps and stigma persist. Targeted education and stigma-reduction interventions are needed to improve STI literacy and prevention.