SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES CAMPAIGN ON RADIO AND TREATMENT-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF ILLITERATE WOMEN IN THE RURAL AREAS OF OYO STATE

Abstract

Public education and enlightenment campaigns are viable methods of educating and enlightening women in the rural areas about treatment- seeking behaviour with regard to sexually transmitted diseases. Health awareness campaigns about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are urban-centric and rural areas appear to be neglected in the equilibrium of STD health-related awareness campaigns and treatment-seeking behaviour of illiterate women in the rural areas of Oyo State. This study investigated the influence of sexually transmitted diseases campaigns on radio and treatment-seeking behaviour of illiterate women in the rural areas of Oyo State. Survey method was adopted for this study. Survey method was used when a large number of samples are involved in the study. We made use of survey method to access the opinions and beliefs of the samples about sexually transmitted diseases and treatment-seeking behaviour of the victims of STDs through the use of questionnaire.

Findings showed that Community health campaign is the source of information about sexually transmitted diseases and that Radio sexually transmitted diseases campaigns are dominant in the urban centres. The perception of severity of sexually transmitted diseases is the factor that pushes women to seek treatment for STDs. Therefore, it is recommended that efforts should not be spared to empower community health campaigners by their respective local government administrations. Community health campaigners must always emphasise early treatment of sexually transmitted diseases before it is too late.