Sociodemographic Variables and Risk Behaviours for HIV Infection and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Adolescents. Spain, 2007

Abstract

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.