Title:
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Adolescents Aged 11–19 Years in Cité Des Palmiers, Douala, Cameroon

Authors:
Fankep Dihewou Alphonse Bertin*, Mohnchimbare Christina Mbongueh, Kamga Fouamno Henri Lucien, Cameroon

Abstract:

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health concern among adolescents, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to sexual and reproductive health information and services remains limited. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding STIs among adolescents aged 11–19 years living in households in the Cité des Palmiers Health District in Douala, Cameroon. A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to August 2025 among 205 adolescents selected using a simple probabilistic sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS version 19.0. Females represented 52.2% of respondents while males accounted for 47.8%. Most participants demonstrated relatively good knowledge regarding STI transmission and prevention methods. Sexual intercourse was the most commonly identified mode of STI transmission, reported by 88.3% of respondents (p < 0.001), while mother-to-child transmission and blood transfusion were identified by 61.5% and 57.6% respectively (p < 0.05). However, 35.1% of respondents incorrectly identified kissing as a mode of STI transmission, indicating persistent misconceptions among some adolescents. Condom use was the most recognized preventive strategy, identified by 74.6% of respondents (p < 0.001), followed by abstinence (58.0%), faithfulness to one sexual partner (50.7%), and avoiding multiple sexual partners (46.8%) (p < 0.05). Despite this relatively good level of awareness, risky sexual practices remained common, including previous sexual intercourse (44.9%), multiple sexual partners (30.4%), and low uptake of previous HIV testing (28.3%). The study concludes that although adolescents possessed relatively good knowledge regarding STI prevention, unsafe sexual practices and misconceptions remain prevalent. Strengthening adolescent-focused sexual health education and improving access to adolescent-friendly reproductive health services are therefore strongly recommended.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2026.10313