Communication Strategies In Curbing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) In The Chorkor Community

Abstract

Despite ongoing efforts to raise awareness about curbing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), it remains a significant public health concern in Ghana, affecting young people and marginalised groups. The prevalence of STIs varies across different countries worldwide, depending on a complex interplay of socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral factors (WHO, 2020). According to UNAIDS 2009 estimates, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 68% of global HIV infections, 68% of new adult HIV infections, 92% of new infections in children, and 72% of all AIDS-related deaths. Reports of national STD rates in Ghana indicate that 3.4% of the Ghanaian population is estimated to have STDs, with a prevalence as high as 28% showing symptoms (GAC 2020). The continuous spread of misinformation, cultural taboos, stigma, and limited access to accurate sexual health information hinder the effectiveness of prevention and control efforts. Development communication has become one of the various methods for engaging the public in a more friendly and social manner. Various studies conducted by scholars on the transmission of STDS/STIs, pay more attention to sexual activities that lead to the spread of the diseases, but give less attention to non-sexual means of transmission. This study investigates how interpersonal and community-based communication strategies can be used to address non-sexual means of STDs/STIs transmission, such as blood transfusion and mother-to-child. Using the Health Belief Model and the Diffusion of Innovation theory, the research adopts a mixed-method approach for data collection; interviews with key informants, and a community-based survey (the use of questionnaires). The findings of this study is expected to demonstrate the important role that development communication plays in improving STD-related knowledge.