J Obstet Gynaecol. 2001 ; 21(3): 292-294.

Knowledge, awareness and perception of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among antenatal patients at Nnewi, Nigeria.

J A Obiechina O B Nwosu C I Okafor O C Ikpeze N.

This study investigates STD knowledge, awareness and perception among antenatal patients at a Nigerian teaching hospital. There was general awareness of the common STDs, such as gonorrhoea, 95.5% (n=127) and syphilis 66.92% (n=89), while the least awareness was recorded in chlamydial diseases, 6% (n=8). HIV/AIDS recorded the highest awareness, 96.2% (n=128). There knowledge of causes and treatment was remarkably poor. Only 58.6% (n=78) could recognise bacteria as causing STD. Surprisingly more than half, 72.2% (n=96) still believed that remedy could be obtained from prayer houses, herbs and other non-scientific means. The most common source of information was through media houses: radio 72.9% (n=97), television 64.7% (n=86). Preventive awareness was high, more than half believing that STD is preventable either by abstinence, barrier contraception or by mutual fidelity. Superstitious beliefs, greater influence of traditional medical practices and poverty are some of the numerous problems the few existing STD clinics face in the developing countries. Efforts should be geared towards establishing standard STD clinics and appropriate information disseminating organs. A situation where the herbalists and traditional medical personnel capture the mostly ignorant populace through unrestricted access to the media houses, as currently practiced in Nigeria, should be checked.