(Free format)  Chapter one 

Introduction

1.1 Background to the study

In Nigeria, many pregnant women carry sexually transmitted infections like HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia - often passed from mother to baby during birth or nursing. These conditions affect both mothers and infants seriously. Making them a top public health priority. The numbers keep rising in antenatal visits where large groups test positive for at least one infection. Usually, diagnosis happens late, giving little time to prevent spread. Studies from 2025 confirm how widespread this problem is across clinics nationwide (Okafor et al. 2025), and screening efforts still lag behind actual risk levels. Testing remains inconsistent even when care centers are well staffed.Various reasons make STDs prevalent among pregnant women in Nigeria. First, one of the most important reasons why STDs remain widespread is poor access to quality health care services, especially in rural settings where utilization of antenatal care remains low. Women tend to register too late for antenatal care or even completely avoid attending antenatal services, thus failing to undergo screening, diagnose, and receive proper treatment for the disease. Besides, lack of adequate awareness of STDs leads to delayed seeking of necessary help. Moreover, cultural beliefs and social stigma related to sexually transmitted diseases negatively affect the willingness of women to visit the doctor (Ezeanolue et al., 2025).

Another reason behind the spread of sexually transmitted diseases among pregnant women relates to socio-economic factors. Poor living conditions, inadequate education, and gender-based discrimination create barriers that prevent women from practicing safer sex and negotiating condom use. Sometimes, women enter into relationships where they have no say in sexual health and are vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases. Besides, polygamy and having multiple sexual partners increase the risks of STD infection (Akinyemi et al., 2025).Consequences of STDs among pregnant women include severe adverse effects on both mothers and their babies. Pregnancies complicated by untreated infections like syphilis may result in miscarriages or stillbirths and even congenital infections among newborn babies. Also, HIV infections among mothers place the unborn baby at risk of acquiring the virus, which could cause a lifetime of health problems if not appropriately managed. Other infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia among pregnant women include the risk of preterm births, low birth weights, and even neonatal infections (World Health Organization [WHO], 2025). All these adverse health complications account for high morbidity and mortality rates among pregnant women in Nigeria

Apart from health effects, STDs among pregnant women have far-reaching social and economic impacts. For example, families may be financially burdened by costs incurred due to the medical attention needed to treat and manage the effects of the STD infections. Social stigma associated with STD infections may result in social isolation and family breakups in some instances.

Measures aimed at decreasing the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in pregnant women in Nigeria need to take into account a number of factors. Firstly, there is a need to improve access to antenatal care, increase the frequency of diagnosis and treatment of infections, and raise awareness about STDs by developing health education programs. Secondly, educating women and increasing their economic empowerment will allow them to make more informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health.

In summary, sexually transmitted diseases among pregnant women in Nigeria pose a significant health threat that carries severe implications for both mothers and newborns. It is imperative to address the root causes of this problem and find appropriate solutions.

1.2 Statement of the problem

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY       

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.5 HYPOTHESES

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

1.7   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

1.9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

                                                           CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Concept of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Among Pregnant Women in Uyo

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) is another name for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which are infections acquired through sexual intercourse such as vaginal, anal, and oral sex. The infections can be caused by bacteria, virus, or parasites, affecting the well-being of an individual especially those who are pregnant. Some of the common STDs include HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, and trichomoniasis. As much as STDs affect the health status of the mother, they may also affect the baby, such as the baby's low body weight at birth, early delivery, infections at birth, and high infant mortality rates (Udo et al., 2026).

Pregnant women have an elevated risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases because of their physiological and immunological alterations that happen during pregnancy. The hormonal change experienced by the female during pregnancy, in addition to her weakened immunity, will increase the chance for her body to be vulnerable to disease attacks. Socio-cultural factors may also contribute to increasing the risks of getting infected with STDs among pregnant women in Uyo city, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria (Okon & Ekwere, 2026).

Pregnant women suffering from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is a major public health issue because STDs can bring about various consequences if not treated early enough. For example, having syphilis without treatment during pregnancy can result in stillbirth, infant mortality, or congenital syphilis. Also, conditions such as HIV or Hepatitis B virus can be vertically transmitted from mother to the baby. This highlights the significance of early testing, screening, and treatment of STDs during prenatal period (Udo et al., 2026). Prenatal facilities at Uyo are significant for conducting tests and giving treatment to prevent adverse outcomes of pregnancy due to STDs..

According to various researches, there is a need to include STD knowledge and prevention efforts in maternal healthcare programs. Udo et al. (2026) observed that regular screening and treatment of STDs in pregnant women help to improve maternal health and the condition of newborn babies. Besides, the provision of appropriate counseling regarding sex, condom usage, and partner treatment are crucial aspects of STD prevention in pregnant women. In addition, according to Okon and Ekwere (2026), ignorance, stigma, and lack of accessibility to healthcare services are among the problems of STDs management in Uyo.

Also, the socio-economic standing, education, and beliefs of the expectant mother play a role in determining the occurrence and management of STDs. Expectant mothers who have low levels of education and economic standing may not be able to visit the clinics for STD treatment as well as antenatal clinic visits because of lack of money, cultural beliefs, or fear of being stigmatized. This will mean that these mothers have higher incidences of STD infections.

Health education, regular testing, early diagnosis, and proper treatment are some of the preventive mechanisms that are important for controlling the transmission of STDs in pregnant women. The public health campaigns in Uyo include raising awareness regarding STDs and promoting safer sex practices in order to provide interventions in a timely manner. This is aimed at minimizing the risks of complications during pregnancy as a result of sexually transmitted diseases (Udo et al., 2026).

In summary, STD infection in pregnant women in Uyo can be said to be an important public health problem because of the consequences that they may have on the mothers and babies. It is therefore vital to have an understanding of the epidemiology and risk factors involved in order to improve upon the quality of care provided for the expectant mothers.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter discusses the research methodology. It entails the method used to carry out the research work and also explains the research design that was used for the study, sample design, methods used in collecting data and how the results data are analyzed.

3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN

3.3 POPULATION OF STUDY

3.4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE AND SAMPLE SIZE

3.5 SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION

3.6 DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT

3.7 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT

3.8 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

   CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS, FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS