The gap between knowledge on HIV/Aids and sexual behavior

A study of teenagers in Vespasiano, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Bibliographic Data

ID5223843
AuthorsLaysce Rocha De Moura (0000-0003-1348-7041, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Luciana Ramos De Moura (Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Brasil; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil), Joyce Romano Lamounier (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Patrícia Regina Guimarães (0000-0002-8932-2510, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Júlia Mesquita Duarte (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Maria Tereza Cordeiro Beling (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Jorge Andrade Pinto (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Eugênio Marcos De Andrade Goulart (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Cristiane De Freitas Cunha Grillo (0000-0003-2216-7904, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais)
Year2013
Volume29
Issue5
Pages1008-1018
Publication date2013-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCadernos de Saude Publica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0102-311X • E-ISSN: 1678-4464
PublisherFapUNIFESP (SciELO) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1590/s0102-311x2013000900018
PMID23703006
OpenAlexW2162942853
SCIELO_PIDS0102-311X2013000900018, S0102-311X2013000500018
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited28

The aim of this study was to investigate gaps between knowledge on HIV/AIDS and sexual behavior among teenagers. The study used a cross-sectional design with a representative random sample of 1,158 teenagers (14 to 19 years of age) enrolled in nine public secondary schools and who answered validated questionnaires. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and tests of hypotheses (chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis, Kendall, and Fisher's exact test). The vast majority of the teenagers (98.7%) expressed doubt on at least one question. Condom use during first sexual intercourse was significantly associated with condom use in sexual relations in the previous six months. There was no statistical association between knowledge on HIV/AIDS and frequency of condom use or number of sexual partners. Health actions are needed that link schools to health services, in addition to not only elaborating appropriate information but also valorizing teenagers' individuality in the development of proposals

Chi-square test · Condom · Descriptive statistics · Environmental health · Exact test · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Human sexuality · Population · Public health · Reproductive health · Sexual behavior · Sexual intercourse · Sociology · Statistics · Test (biology) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Gender Studies · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Mathematics · Medicine · Nursing · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology · Science and Education Research · Social Psychology