| Abstract |  Objective: To identify factors associated with a history  of sexually transmitted infections in Ghanaian women  15 – 24 years.  Design: The study was a cross-sectional data analysis  of 1280 sexually experienced females from the 2003  Ghana Demographic Health Survey. Using chi square  and t-test, those with a history or symptoms of STI  were compared with those denying such a history on  demographic, individual and partner level variables.  Significant variables were entered into logistic regression to identify variables associated with STI. Results: The STI group comprised 12% of the study  population. Compared to those denying a history of  STI, the STI group was less likely to know where to  get condoms (37% vs 23%, p=.001) but more likely to  use a condom at their last sexual encounter (27% vs  17%, p=.003). Women in the STI group were significantly less likely to discuss family planning with their  partners but more likely to have 2 or more partners in  the preceding 12 months. Logistic regression showed  that factors associated with STI among sexually active  Ghanaian female youth included not knowing where to  get condoms and not discussing family planning with  partner. Conclusion: Majority of sexually experienced Ghanaian female youth do not know where to get condoms.  Lack of knowledge of source of condoms was identified as a risk factor for STI for these women. |