A medical expert in the Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed, has said that one in four teenagers who engaged in active sex is infected with one Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) or the other.

Making a presentation at a two-day seminar on awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDs among undergraduate of the Nana Aishat Memorial College of Education, Ilorin, Ahmed said that the only way to stay off the STIs was through total abstinence among the unmarried, while married couples should be faithful to each other.

The seminar was organised by two members of the 2012 NYSC Batch ‘B’ in Peer Educator Trainer (PET), Community Development Service (CDS), Titilayo Anifowose and Motunrayo Ajenifuja.

The medical expert noted that prevalence of STIs increased in recent time due to unprotected sexual intercourse among the youth, whom he described as the most vulnerable group.

“Sexually Transmitted Infections that we call STIs are infections that are spread from person to person through intimate sexual intercourse,” he explained.

He also said that though most of the STIs, except HIV/AIDS, have cure, Ahmed, however, warned people against casual sex.

The medical doctor said people should seek medical advice and treatment whenever they feel any of the symptoms of the infection rather than keeping it to themselves.

Over 200 people were screened of HIV/AIDS status, courtesy of the corps members partnership with a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Friends in Global Health.

Earlier, the organisers of the seminar, Anifowose and Ajenifuja said that the need to create more awareness among the youth propelled them to organise the programme.

They complained of challenges while trying to get partnership for the seminar and called for future support to host such public enlightenment events.