Health seeking behaviour in relation to sexually transmitted infections among youth aged 15-24 years in Bariadi district - Shinyanga, Tanzania

A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in Bariadi District during May-June 2002 to explore health seeking behaviour in relation to STI among the youth. A total of 456 youths were interviewed. The results of this study indicate that 67.4% of the youth mentioned microorganisms as a cause of STI while 97% of the youth mentioned sexual intercourse to be the route of transmission, but when asked who were the type of people who get STI they said anybody (87.4%) and promiscuous 21.2%. On the meaning attached to STIs, the majority reported that they would be worried if their friends or they themselves cotnracted an STI. Regarding STIs prevention, 55.8% of all the respondents identified the condom as a preventive measure of STIs. Abstinence was mentioned by 51.3% of the respondents, but only 18.3 percent mentioned faithfulness. Among those who had had an STI, 18.4% sought treatment from the traditional healer while 81.6 percent sought treatment from the formal health sector. Among those who had had no STI but knew people with STI said 43.5% had sought treatment from the traditional healer while 56.4% had sought treatment from the formal health sector. These findings indicate a need to develop educational media on STI and a further research on factors affecting utilization of health services in relation to STI.