Abstract

TEVA, Inmaculada; BERMUDEZ, Mª Paz  and  BUELA-CASAL, Gualberto. Sociodemographic Variables and Risk Behaviours for HIV Infection and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Adolescents: Spain, 2007. Rev. Esp. Salud Publica [online]. 2009, vol.83, n.2, pp.309-320. ISSN 2173-9110.

Background: The development of HIV and STD prevention programs needs information about sexual behaviour. The aim of this study is to analyze whether there were differences in HIV/STD risk behaviours according to type of high school (public/private), gender and age in adolescents. Methods: A representative sample of 4.456 adolescents participated. To select the participants, a stratified random sampling considering Spanish regions and type of high school was used. It is a cross-sectional survey study. Results: The percentage of adolescents that did not use condoms at first sexual intercourse was higher in private than in public high schools (χ² ₍₁₎=5,06; p=0,02). Adolescents who were between 17 and 18 years old had the highest percentage of non condom use at last sexual intercourse (χ² ₍₂₎= 6,90; p=0,03). A higher percentage of males than females had a casual partner at last sexual intercourse (χ² ₍₁₎=127,79; p=0,00). A higher number of adolescents of private high schools than adolescents of public high schools had used drugs at last sexual intercourse (χ² ₍₁₎=5,72; p=0,02), as well as males compared to females (χ² ₍₁₎=36,37; p=0,00). Conclusions: Differences in HIV risk behaviours according to sociodemographic variables are shown. Therefore, taking into account sociodemographic factors in sexual education programs focused on adolescents seems to be necessary.

Keywords : adolescent; HIV; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Sexuality; Sexual Behavior; sexually transmitted diseases; Spain.

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