Journal of
Public Health and Epidemiology

  • Abbreviation: J. Public Health Epidemiol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2316
  • DOI: 10.5897/JPHE
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 667

Full Length Research Paper

Awareness and knowledge of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) among secondary school students in Bamenda I sub-Division, Cameroon

Ngongbi Jennet Nabong
  • Ngongbi Jennet Nabong
  • Department of Microbiology, Haematology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 96, Dschang, Cameroon.
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Yamssi Cédric
  • Yamssi Cédric
  • Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, P. O. Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon.
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Noumedem Anangmo Christelle Nadia
  • Noumedem Anangmo Christelle Nadia
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, P. O. Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon.
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Tako Djimefo Alex Kevin
  • Tako Djimefo Alex Kevin
  • Department of Animal Organisms, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, P. O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon.
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Vincent Khan Payne
  • Vincent Khan Payne
  • Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 067, Dschang, Cameroon.
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  •  Received: 20 December 2024
  •  Accepted: 18 February 2025
  •  Published: 30 April 2025

Abstract

The increasing incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents in Cameroon, coupled with the decreasing age of sexual initiation, underscores the importance of introducing sexual education at home and in schools as early as possible. This study aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge of STIs among adolescent students in Bamenda I Sub-Division to improve STI education for young people. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in private and public secondary schools in Bamenda I Sub-Division. A convenience sampling method was used, and 351 students voluntarily completed semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21). The results showed that 10.8% of students had a very high level of knowledge, 27.6% had high knowledge, 39.6% had moderate knowledge, 10.5% had low knowledge, and 11.4% had very low knowledge about STIs. Their attitudes indicated that they were influenced by both family (32.5%) and peers (42.7%) when making decisions about sexual activities. The study also found that 45.3% of students were willing to learn more about STIs and preferred to receive this information through improved school-based sexual education programs. A significant association was found between gender (p = 0.001) and type of school (p = 0.000) on the level of STI knowledge, with females and private school students demonstrating higher knowledge levels. The majority (39.6%) of students showed a moderate level of knowledge about STIs. While 42.7% of students reported not being influenced by peers in engaging in sexual activities, 32.5% were open to discussing sexual health topics with their families. In conclusion, both formal education (school-based sexual education programs) and informal education (family discussions and peer knowledge sharing) increase students' knowledge of STIs, influence their attitudes, and shape their behavior toward sexual activities, ultimately contributing to STI prevention. Therefore, there is a need for additional STI education in secondary and high schools in Bamenda I.

Key words: Knowledge, students, sexual health, Bamenda I.

Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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