Knowledge about STD/Aids and sexual behavior among high school students in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Bibliographic Data

ID5231977
AuthorsAnete Trajman (0000-0002-4000-4984, Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, Brasil; Universidade Gama Filho, Brasil), Márcia Teresa Belo (Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, Brasil; Universidade Gama Filho, Brasil), M Belo (0000-0002-7056-5897, University Gama Filho), Eleny Guimarães Teixeira (0000-0003-0477-3062, University Gama Filho), Vicente C S Dantas (Fundação Técnico Educacional Souza Marques), Frederico M Salomão (Fundação Técnico-Educacional Souza Marques, Brasil; Universidade Gama Filho, Brasil), Antonio Ledo Alves Cunha (0000-0003-3592-1849, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro), Antônio J Ledo A Cunha (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro)
Year2003
Volume19
Issue1
Pages127-133
Publication date2003-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCadernos de Saude Publica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0102-311X • E-ISSN: 1678-4464
PublisherFapUNIFESP (SciELO) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1590/s0102-311x2003000100014
PMID12700791
OpenAlexW2127427045
SCIELO_PIDS0102-311X2003000100014
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited10

The incidence of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is increasing among adolescents. In order to better understand high-risk sexual behavior among students, a cross-sectional study based on a self-answered anonymous questionnaire was conducted in 10 public and private high schools in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data were obtained on sociodemographics, knowledge of STD/AIDS, and sexual behavior. Among 945 students aged 13-21, 59% were sexually initiated, and the median age at first sexual intercourse was 15 years (range: 7-19). Although 94% reported being aware of the need for condom use for protection, only 34% informed always using condoms during sex. Low family income was associated with unsatisfactory knowledge (OR = 9.40; 95% CI = 6.05-14.60) and inconsistent condom use (OR = 11.60; 95% CI = 5.54-24.30). However, unsatisfactory knowledge was not associated with inconsistent condom use. School-based educational programs should focus on sexual behavior more than on transmission of knowledge, as well as targeting low-income students

Condom · Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Family medicine · Gynecology · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Incidence (geometry) · Population · Sexual behavior · Sexual intercourse · Sexually transmitted disease · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · Demography · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Science and Education Research