Author(s) :

Onyemaechi, C. I..

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Abstract :

Sexual related health illness seems to be rampant in Nigeria as a result of social-economic problems faced by the people. The increasing prevalence of risky sexual behaviors among adolescents and young adults continues to pose significant public health concerns globally. Although numerous studies have established that knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is associated with safer sexual practices, evidence consistently demonstrates that knowledge alone does not necessarily translate into protective behavior. The aim of this research is to have a better understanding of a number of adolescence that have romantic relationship with the opposite sex, their knowledge of sexual transmitted infections and the relationship between sexual debut and knowledge of sexual transmitted infections. Also, this research aims at re-educating them on both negative and positive implications of this sexual behaviour. Furthermore, this theoretical paper examines the relationship among sexual debut, knowledge of sexually transmitted infections, and romantic relationship denial. It argues that romantic relationship denial a psychological tendency to underestimate or reject the possibility that a trusted romantic partner could transmit an STI functions as an important mechanism through which STI knowledge fails to influence preventive sexual behavior. Drawing from the Health Belief Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, Cognitive Dissonance Theory, and Communication Privacy Management Theory, the paper proposes a conceptual framework explaining how emotional attachment, trust, perceived partner fidelity, and denial distort risk perception despite adequate STI knowledge. The paper concludes that sexual health interventions should move beyond knowledge-based education by addressing emotional, relational, and cognitive factors influencing sexual decision-making. Conclusively, the concept of slave mentality also should be eroded among the adolescence.

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