Beyond the Taboo: What the Youth Need to Know About STIs

Introduction

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections primarily transmitted through sexual contact and remains a global public health concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than one million curable STIs are acquired daily, with approximately 374 million new infections occurring annually from chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis alone (1).

Due to limited access to sexual health education, explorative sexual behaviors and insufficient knowledge, the youths are more vulnerable to sexual health issues (2,3). In Nigeria, cultural and religious taboos restricts young people from being enlightened and informed, leaving many of them vulnerable to misinformation, delayed diagnosis, and untreated infections. These factors contribute to ongoing STI transmission, infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and an increased risk of HIV infection. It is essential to confront these knowledge gaps through evidence-based education to improve the sexual and reproductive health of Nigeria’s rapidly growing youth population (1,3).

Prevalence and Risk Factors

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a significant public health concern among young people globally and in Africa. Over one million new STI cases occur daily worldwide, with adolescents and young adults bearing a disproportionate burden of infection (4). Evidence from Africa shows that STI prevalence among youth remains high. In Zimbabwe, Martin et al. reported that 19.8% of youths aged 18–24 years tested positive for at least one curable STI, despite only a small proportion reporting symptoms, highlighting the silent nature of many infections (5).

Several factors increase the risk of STI acquisition among youth. Martin et al. identified female sex, age 21–24 years, unemployment, lower educational attainment, multiple sexual partners, living with HIV, and mental health challenges as significant predictors of STI infection (5). Similarly, Okunlola et al. found that sexual infidelity, multiple sexual partnerships, and inconsistent condom use were strongly associated with self-reported STIs among Nigerian youths aged 15–29 years (6).

The impact of STIs on youth extends beyond infection alone. STIs increase susceptibility to HIV infection, contribute to reproductive health complications, and may result in psychological distress, stigma, and reduced quality of life. Young women are particularly vulnerable due to both biological and social factors. These consequences underscore the need for comprehensive sexual health education, routine screening, and improved access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services (4).

Recommendations

STIs are incredibly common among young people, and this makes counselling and behavioural advice crucial so youths understand their risk and learn how to avoid them.

Key prevention strategies include;

• Comprehensive sexuality education, the ABC method (Abstinence, Being faithful to one partner, and consistent Condom use), condom promotion, behavioural counselling, and STI and HIV pre and post test counselling.
• Peer education programmes in northwestern Nigeria have also been shown to improve adolescents’ knowledge of STI symptoms and condom use (7,8).
• Emerging strategies such as mobile testing units and workplace-based programmes show promise in improving screening uptake, although they may under-reach women in the informal sector (9).
• Vaccination against HPV and Hepatitis B, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and regular testing for early detection and treatment are also crucial (10).

Untreated STIs increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, cervical cancer, HIV acquisition, infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and social consequences that affect relationships and communities. Efforts to reduce STI transmission must involve collaboration between healthcare professionals, policymakers, educational institutions, and communities. Improving access to confidential and youth friendly sexual health services will also encourage early diagnosis and treatment.

References

1. World Health Organization. Sexually transmitted infections (STI). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025.
2. Mulaudzi FM, Rasweswe MM. Sexually transmitted infections: An indigenous African context. In: Mulaudzi FM, Lebese RT, editors. Working with Indigenous Knowledge: Strategies for Health Professionals. Cape Town: AOSIS; 2022.
3. Visalli G, Cosenza B, Mazzù F, Bertuccio MP, Spataro P, Pellicanò GF, et al. Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and risky behaviours: a survey among high school and university students. J Prev Med Hyg. 2019;60(2):E84-E92.
4. Diana P, Esposito S. Epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention strategies of HIV, HPV, and other sexually transmitted infections among cisgender and transgender youth: A narrative review. Front Public Health. 2024;12:1342532.
5. Martin K, et al. Risk factors for curable sexually transmitted infections among youth: Findings from the STICH population survey in Zimbabwe. Sex Transm Infect. 2024;100(8):484-490.
6. Okunlola DA, Alawode OA, Opara CV, Ajayi AI. Sexual behaviors and self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among male and female youths in Nigeria. BMC Infect Dis. 2025;25:1515.
7. Naidoo S, et al. Sexually transmitted infections in primary health care: Prevention and management. Afr J Prim Health care Fam med. 2020;12(1):e1-e7
8. Akuiyibo S, Anyanti J, Idogho O, Piot S, Amoo B, Nwankwo N, et al. Impact of peer education on sexual health knowledge among adolescents and young persons in two North Western states of Nigeria. Reprod Health. 2021;18(1):204.
9. Okolie EA, Beek K, Patel B, Ndikom CM, Joshi R. Cervical cancer prevention and control in Nigeria: mapping and review of policies. Health Policy Plan. 2025;40(8):931–942.
10. Bohren MA, Vazquez Corona M, Odiase OJ, Wilson AN, Sudhinaraset M, Diamond-Smith N, et al. Strategies to reduce stigma and discrimination in sexual and reproductive healthcare settings: a mixed-methods systematic review. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2022;2(6):e0000582.