| Abstract: |
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have been around since the dawn of civilisation and a review of relevant literatures suggest that their occurrences are most prevalent among sexually active youths. However, for fear of social rejection, most youths, rather than seek relevant information and medical assistance, keep their STDs status secret and thus, go through a great deal of anxiety and distress in silence. Corpus literatures have examined STDs in relation to various psycho-social factors; but, studies examining the influence of the ICT-driven interactive media on STDs knowledge and disclosure among youths seem not to have been explored. Previous researches have shown that interactive media usage is significantly associated with the youths. This study therefore examines the relationship among STDs knowledge among youths, disclosure, and the use of three interactive communication technologies (Mobile phone (GSM), email and facebook). A conceptual framework is presented, providing a rationale for three hypotheses predicting relationships between STDs knowledge, disclosure and interactive media use. The study employs the survey method and randomly draws participants (undergraduates) from three universities in South East Nigeria (University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka). Data collection was aided by the use of a questionnaire. The focus of this research represents a very promising line of inquiry that may have the potential to produce major outcomes on STDs knowledge and disclosure among youths. Understanding the interaction between these variables may have implications for health communication. |
