Keywords
STI awareness programs
Seroprevalence
Behavioral change
Adamawa State University
Mubi
Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a significant public health challenge globally, with syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum being a major bacterial STI. Community-based STI awareness programs aim to improve knowledge, promote safe sexual practices, and encourage early testing and treatment. Objective: To assess the effect of community STI awareness programs on syphilis seroprevalence among patients attending Federal Medical Center, Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 adult participants recruited using consecutive sampling. Data on socio-demographics and exposure to STI awareness programs were collected through structured questionnaires. Syphilis infection was determined using rapid diagnostic tests. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and seroprevalence, while associations between exposure to awareness programs and infection rates were analyzed. Results: The overall syphilis seroprevalence was 12.0%. Prevalence was significantly lower among participants exposed to STI awareness programs (6.7%) compared to those unexposed (20.0%). The majority of participants were young adults aged 18–35 years, and males slightly outnumbered females (56% vs. 44%). Findings suggest that community STI awareness programs may reduce syphilis transmission by promoting behavioral change. Conclusion: Community-based STI awareness programs appear effective in reducing syphilis infection among hospital attendees in Mubi. However, incomplete coverage limits their impact, highlighting the need for expanded outreach and targeted interventions. Recommendations: Strengthen outreach, integrate screening with education, target high-risk groups, and utilize multimedia approaches to enhance program reach and effectiveness.
References
Akinyemi, O. O., Fasoro, A., & Okonkwo, P. N. (2019). Prevalence of syphilis among adults in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study. African Journal of Health Sciences, 32(2), 123–130.
Berhane, Y., Mekonnen, A., & Fikadu, T. (2018). Community-based health education and its impact on STI prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Public Health Research, 6(4), 45–52.
CDC, (2021). Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines. CDC, Atlanta, USA.
CDC, (2021). Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines. Atlanta, GA: CDC.
Chandra-Mouli, V., Lane, C., & Wong, S. (2017). Sexual and reproductive health education interventions in low- and middle-income countries: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa. Reproductive Health, 14(1), 42.
Fasoro, A., Akinyemi, O. O., & Oladipo, E. (2021). Impact of community STI awareness programs
Ibijola, A. A., Ajayi, O. D., Onyema, M. I., Adebayo, A. A., Muhibi, M. A., & Obazee, Y. (2023). Comparative study of syphilis prevalence among pregnant women and blood donors in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research, 35(11), 39–48.
Ndukwu, C. L. C., & Ndu, I. F. (2024). Seroprevalence of syphilis in persons attending public and private healthcare facilities in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Research in Dermatological Science, 7(1), 98–105.
Ogoina, D., Onyemelukwe, G., & Musa, A. (2019). Epidemiology of syphilis in Northern Nigeria: Hospital-based study. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 22(8), 1125–1132.
Okonkwo, P. N., & Ogoina, D. (2020). Syphilis prevalence and risk factors among hospital patients in Northern Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Journal, 61(4), 215–222.
Okunlola, D. A., Alawode, O. A., Opara, C. V., & Ajayi, A. I. (2025). Sexual behaviors and self-reported STIs among Nigerian youths. BMC Infectious Diseases, 25(1515).
Rowley, J., Hoorn, S. V., Korenromp, E., et al. (2019). Global prevalence and incidence of sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 97, 548–562.
Sibeudu, F. T., Okorie, E. E., Obionwu, O. T., & Agbapuonwu, N. E. (2024). Awareness and knowledge of STIs among nursing students in Anambra State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Research in Nursing and Health, 7(1), 254–263.
Umeora, O. U., Chukwuma, E. C., & Okafor, I. (2014). Syphilis seroprevalence among women of reproductive age in Northern Nigeria. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 19(2), 223–228.
UNAIDS. (2020). Global AIDS update and STI prevention strategies. Geneva: UNAIDS. Geneva.
WHO, (2016). WHO guidelines for the treatment of Treponema pallidum (syphilis). Geneva: WHO.
WHO, (2019). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) fact sheet. WHO, Geneva
World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Global sexually transmitted infection surveillance. Geneva: WHO.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Author