Sexual Health Problems and STI Risk among Street Youths in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria

Background: The risky sexual behaviours and other behaviours such as drug use among street youth are of major public health and social health concern, but there is paucity of current information on these behaviors and the sexual health needs of these young people.
Method: The study was a descriptive cross sectional study carried out among male and female youth in selected Motor parks and Markets in Ibadan. The data was collected using a qualitative method of data collection.
Results: The Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) conducted among 160 discussants revealed that the respondents perceived that they were at risk of contracting STI including HIV because of their sexual activities. Condom use was recognized as a mode of preventing STI but many were unwilling to use them because of perceived reduction in sexual satisfaction. The discussants were aware of gonorrhea and HIV as common STI and the major treatment modes for STI were traditional remedies and drugs obtained from patent medicine shops. Traditional remedies were preferred by most and considered to be more effective.
Conclusion: Majority of these young people on the streets were sexually active and many engage in high risk sexual behaviours. Appropriate sexual health interventions are recommended.