SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOURS AND STI RISK PERCEPTION AMONG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE SUNYANI MUNICIPALITY OF GHANA

Abstract

In the ideal world scenario risky sexual behaviours are rampant. The most worrying part is the fact that teenagers and the youth are the ones with a high predisposition to indulge in risky sexual behaviours. This study assessed the risky sexual behaviour and the STI Risk Perception among senior high school students within the Sunyani municipality. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was deployed in order to get a clear picture of the relationship between risky sexual behaviour and attendant STIs. The targeted population was 250 students of the Twene Amanfo Senior High Technical School (TASTECH) in Sunyani- Ghana. In order to reduce bias, a simple random sampling was used in recruiting the 250 participants. A structured questionnaire was employed in obtaining quantitative data from the students. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 25) was used to analyze the quantitative data. The results indicated that, 110 students (44% of respondents) indulged in various forms of sexual risk behaviours. A greater majority of 147 (78.8%) had low STI risk perception which is very disheartening. Sexual risk behaviours such as early sexual initiation (OR 7.462, CI: 4.143 – 14.096), having multiple sexual partners (OR 43.669, CI: 20.825 – 91.573), non-condom use (OR 6.368, CI: 3.456 – 11.735) and the use of drugs (OR 15.523, CI: 8.226 – 29.292) were strongly associated with the likelihood of contracting sexually transmitted infections. The study, therefore, recommends that there should be a rigorous mass sensitization campaign across all Senior High schools in Ghana to create more awareness among young people on the dangers associated with indulging in risky sexual behaviours.