Abstract

ZELADA VALDES, Adrian et al. Knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and behavior among adolescent nursing students. Rev Cubana Med Trop [online]. 2014, vol.66, n.2, pp.295-304. ISSN 0375-0760.

Introduction: sexually Transmitted Infections are a serious health problem. More than 333 million new cases are reported worldwide every year, and adolescents are the most commonly affected age group. Objectives: determine the level of knowledge about STIs/HIV and its correspondence with demographic factors, as well as the relationship between gender, behavior and perception in a group of adolescents. Methods: a cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 92 nursing students from Dr. Enrique Cabrera School of Medical Sciences in March 2011. The variables considered were demographic factors, level of knowledge about STIs/HIV, behavior and perception among adolescents. Results: adequate and inadequate knowledge was 84.7 % and 15.2 %, respectively. Age and gender influenced the level of knowledge about STIs/HIV (p=0.0077 and p=0.0097, respectively). It was also found that gender may significantly influence the age when sexual relations are started (p=0.0002), and that adolescents start their sexual life at an increasingly early age. Conclusions: it was determined that the level of knowledge about STIs/HIV among nursing students is inadequate. It was also found that demographic factors may influence the level of knowledge about STIs/HIV, and gender may influence the age when sexual relations are started.

Keywords : STI; HIV; adolescence; knowledge about STIs/HIV; perception; behavior.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )