Health-Seeking Behaviour for Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Adults in Calabar South

Background: Sexually transmitted infections remain a significant public health challenge among young adults in Nigeria, and delayed or inappropriate healthcare seeking contributes to onward transmission and complications. This study investigates healthcare-seeking behaviour for sexually transmitted infections among young adults in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, in the South South geopolitical zone. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 young adults aged 18 to 35 years using stratified random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire assessed STI experience, first point of care, and barriers to formal healthcare utilisation. Results: Self-medication with antibiotics obtained from patent medicine vendors was the predominant healthcare-seeking behaviour. Stigma and fear of disclosure to partners were major barriers to formal facility attendance. Younger respondents and males were more likely to self-treat. Conclusion: Inappropriate healthcare seeking for STIs among young adults in Calabar South exposes them to treatment failure and ongoing transmission. Family medicine services should integrate confidential STI screening and counselling into routine young adult healthcare. Community-level stigma reduction campaigns are equally essential. Keywords: sexually transmitted infections, healthcare seeking, young adults, Calabar, stigma