AN UPDATE ON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS: YOUTHS PESPECTIVES

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) remain a serious reproductive health problem globally. In Africa, the rate of infection of STIs among youth remains high and research shows that there is 45% rise in STI cases among youth aged 15 – 25 years. Similarly, although testing and treatment services for sexually transmitted diseases are provided at most health centers, the rate of STI infection among youth remains high. This was influenced by various factors including inadequate knowledge about the effective use of preventive measures such as condoms, gender roles, risky sexual practices such sexual networking, having multiple partners as well as misperceptions about condom use among others.