Prevalence of Sexually Transimitted Infections and Predisposing Factors Among the Youths in Ndirande
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Date
2022-07-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Ndirande Township is one of the largest townships in Malawi. With an
approximate population of over 130,000, Ndirande is a bustling township where
everything and anything gets traded. Being one of the most highly populated
areas in Blantyre, Ndirande is faced with different development issues such as
poverty, poor housing, and inadequate farming land. It is a vibrant community
from which many young people reside and are vulnerable to risky behaviours
such as unsafe sex, which exposes them to different STIs. The prevalence of
STIs is increasing among youths in many countries including Malawi, however
little is known about the extent of the spread as well as the predisposing factors
to this in Malawi.
A mixed method study involving participants will be conducted to assess the
prevalence of STIs among the youths of Ndirande. The main objective will be to
determine the prevalence of STIs among the youths. The other objectives
include; to compare the association of gender and STIs; to explore the factors
that predisposes the youths to contract STIs and to assess the health seeking
behaviours of the youths affected as well as their barriers.
The study will be conducted at Ndirande Health Centre in Blantyre. It will
include boys and girls of ages ranging from 18 to 24 years. The information will
be disseminated to the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences academic staff
and students during the dissemination day in 2021/2022. The final report of the
study findings will be submitted to our research supervisor and College of
medicine Research Committee.
JUSIFICATION OF THE STUDY
In 2012, 286 million people age 12-24 lived in Africa, accounting for 18% of
the global youth population (7). By 2040, the number of young people in Africa
is projected to increase by 60% to 466 million (7). Young people aged 15-24
make up the largest and fastest growing proportion of the general population in
Malawi. The 2018 Malawi population and housing census shows 51% of the
population is below 18 years (8). It has been estimated that 25% of STIs cases
nationwide occur among young people aged 15-24 years (8)
Blantyre city has a bigger population of young people who live and work there.
One of the most youthful population areas in Blantyre is Ndirande. Most young
people live and work there. According to the report from Ndirande health
centre, in 2020, one thousand fifty-three persons (from the director of Ndirande
Health Centre) visited the health centre for screening and treatment of STIs. The
health centre records suggest that STI prevalence among youths in Ndirande
might be higher than that of the nationwide hence need to do more research on
the prevalence of the STIs, factors that predisposes and the health seeking
behaviour of youths in Ndirande.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
BROAD OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of STIs among youths in Ndirande
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
❖ To quantify the prevalence of STIs among youths in Ndirande.
❖ To compare the association of gender and STIs
❖ To explore factors that predisposes the youths to contracting STIs
❖ To assess the health seeking behaviour of the youths affected by the STIs
and their barriers.
METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH STUDY DESIGN
We will use cross sectional study design where we will adopt a mixed methods
approach.
STUDY PLACE
The study will be conducted both in Ndirande area and at Ndirande health
centre.
STUDY POPULATION
Young people both males and females aged 18 to 24 in Ndirande.
INCLUSION CRITERIA
Study eligibility will require young people with ages from 18 to 24 years old
living in Ndirande
EXCLUSION CRITERIA
All young people below 18 years and above 24 years and those who don’t stay
in Ndirande
STUDY PERIOD
The study will be carried out during the MBBS 4 research block. The first 2 to 3
weeks will involve data collection. The fourth week will involve data
management and analysis. The fifth week will involve writing a final report and
also starting writing a presentation for dissemination.
SAMPLE SIZE
A sample of 288 has been calculated with a confidence interval of 95% and an
error margin of 5% using the formula:
n = [(Zɑ/2)2PQ]/D2 (S.K.Lwanga, S.Lemeshow, 1991)
P = Population with STI
Q = population without STI (1-P)
D = margin of an error
Zɑ/2=coefficient at a given level of confidence, at 95% Confidence interval,
Z=1.96
n = [(1.96)2 0.25x 0.75]/(0.05)2
= 288
288 people is calculated working sample that we are going to use. we are to get
second data of 288 youths who visited Ndirande Health Centre for STI
screening and treatment.
We agreed that we are going to interview 28 youths from different areas within
Ndirande.
DATA COLLECTION
Primary data will be collected using semi-structured interview guide which will
be in Chichewa. The secondary data will be collected from Health Management
Information Systems (HMIS) e.g., health registers from Ndirande Health
Centre.
The information collected will be categorized in the following:
✓ Gender
✓ Predisposing factors to STIs
✓ Age range at risk
✓ Health seeking behaviour
We will obtain the information about the last specific objective ‘To assess the
health seeking behaviour of the youths affected by the STIs and their barriers’
through our interviews with the study participants. We anticipate that our
interviews in the sample population during primary data collection, will give us
people within Ndirande who have STIs or at some point had STIs. We will then
enquire about how they sought the treatment and what were the obstacles they
encountered during their treatment seeking from the hospital.
DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS
Data will be sorted and quality checks will be done. Quantitative analysis of
data will be done using Microsoft Excel. The recorded qualitative data will be
transcribed and coded.
RESULTS PRESENTATION
After analysis of the data, the results will be presented in different formats.
Tables, histograms and pie charts are the formats in which the data will be
presented.
DISSEMINATION OF THE RESULTS
The study findings will be disseminated to the KUHeS academic staff and
students. The final report of the study findings will be submitted to our research
supervisor. A copy of the final report of results will be submitted to COMREC
and KUHeS Library. Other institutions and researchers can use the research
findings to identify the gap when they want to conduct their research or carry
out some interventions.
Description
Keywords
Prevalence of Sexually Transimitted Infections and Predisposing Among the Youths