Sexually Transmitted Infections among Women of Childbearing Age and Its Effects on Their Reproductive Life
ABSTRACT
This descriptive research was made to examine sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women of childbearing age and its effects on their reproductive life in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai Local Government Area. The objectives of the study were to find out the knowledge of women of child bearing age about sexually transmitted infections (STIs); to identify the problems posed by sexually transmitted infections (STIs); and to proffer solution to the menace of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women of child bearing age (15-49 years) in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai Local Government Area. Research questions were formulated and certain literatures were reviewed based on the set objectives. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 100 respondents. Instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Data were analyzed using simple percentages and presented in tables. Finding revealed that women of childbearing age (15-49 years) in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai L.G.A. are aware of sexually transmitted infections, its effects, and how to prevent it. Based on the above findings, conclusion was drawn and recommendation was made among others that attention should gear towards adopting preventive measures through the use of condom, maintaining one partner, and refraining from unprotected sex.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Sex is a normal human function that can involve the expression of love and emotional feelings and does provide a means for reproduction. Sexual intercourse however is not without potential harmful or unintended consequences. Two major potential health consequences of sexual intercourse are unintentional pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STDs or STIs) including HIV infection.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are used interchangeably to mean the same thing. According to World Health Organization (2013), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are commonly spread by sex, especially vaginal intercourse, anal sex or oral sex. Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) initially do not cause symptoms. This result in a greater risk of passing the disease on to others. Symptoms and signs of disease may include vaginal discharge, penile discharge, ulcers on or around the genitals and pelvic pain. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) acquired before or during birth may result in poor outcomes for the baby. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may cause problems with the ability to get pregnant.
According to Gerd and Stephen (2011), more than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites can cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis among others. Viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include genital herpes, HIV/AIDS and genital warts among others. Parasitic sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include trichomomiasis among others. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a major health problem worldwide causing significant morbidity and mortality in women of child bearing age in the developing countries alike. An important feature of the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is their high prevalence among adolescents and young adult age 15-25 years. Serious consequences of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among females include pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, genital malignancy, congenital defects, and even death (World Health Organization, 2013).
Hoffman (2012) maintained that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most common infection that affect women of child bearing age, imposing an enormous burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The fact that STIs are most prevalent among adolescents and young adults adds to the significance of this burden. The AIDS pandemic best illustrates the impact of STIs on mankind especially in the developing countries where the collateral effects of AIDS have far reaching consequences. Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea, Chlamydia and syphilis are also associated with serious complications. Incidence and prevalence rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are high reaching epidemic proportions in most countries, but they vary from one country to the other and among different groups within the same country. Factors that promoted the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to reach epidemic proportions include the high asymptomatic carrier state, the lack of vaccines and the inadequate protection provided by condoms in preventing transmission (Shukla and Poles, 2014).
According to Gerd and Stephen (2011), “prevention is better and cheaper than cure”, as such the most effective way of tackling sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is by not having sex at all. Though some vaccination may decrease the risk of certain infections including hepatitis B and some types of Hepatitis virus, but safer sex practices such as use of condom, having a smaller number of sexual partners and being in a relationship where each person only has sex with the other decrease the risk. Most STIs are treatable or curable. Of the most common infections, syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, trichomomiasis are curable while herpes, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS and HPV are treatable but not curable. Resistance to certain antibiotics is developing among some organism such as gonorrhea (World Health Organization, 2013).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide resulting from sexually transmitted pathogens compromises the quality of life as well as sexual and reproductive health, newborn, and child health. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) also facilitate indirectly the sexual transmission of HIV. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) impose a substantial train on the budgets of both households and National Health System in middle and low-income countries, and have an adverse effect on the overall well-being of individuals. With more than 12 million new cases occurring annually, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most commonly reported disease that affects all population groups in the world (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013).
There is a general lack of public awareness and knowledge regarding sexually transmitted infections, because some are initially asymptomatic but may cause serious health problems years after infection. The delay between initial infection and serious complications contributes to the lack of awareness of the impact of sexually transmitted infections. Women of child bearing age (15-49 years) are particularly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections because they are more biologically susceptible to certain infections than men and because they are more likely to have asymptomatic infections that result in delayed diagnosis and treatment. This prompted the researcher to investigate the effects of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on the reproductive life of women of child bearing age (15-49) in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai Local Government Area and to determine preventive and control measures of sexually transmitted infection within the study area.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to examine the effects of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on the reproductive life of women of child bearing age (15-49 years) in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai Local Government Area.
The specific objectives of the study are as follows:
- To find out the knowledge of women of child bearing age (15-49 years) in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai Local Government Area about sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- To identify the problems posed by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on the reproductive system of women of child bearing age (15-49 years) in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai Local Government Area.
- To proffer solution to the menace of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women of child bearing age (15-49 years) in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai Local Government Area.
1.4 Research Questions
- Are women of child bearing age (15-49 years) in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai Local Government Area aware of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
- What are the problems posed by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women of child bearing age (15-49 years) in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai Local Government Area?
- What are the solutions to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women of child bearing age (15-49 years) in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai Local Government Area?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This research focuses on the effects of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) on the reproductive life of women of child bearing age (15-49) in Ikot Akpakpan, Nsit Atai Local Government Area. As such, it is believed that it will educate the target group on the causes and effects of sexually transmitted infections. It will be of immense important, as this study also seek to proffer solution to the alarming effects of sexually transmitted infections. The study will also be of great benefit to health workers in which they may use this study to educate the people at risk.
The Governments will also benefit from this study by using the recommendations and suggestions from this study to take necessary action so as to help the target group.