[A novel school-based strategy for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted disease (STDs), and teen pregnancies]

(Estrategias novedosas de prevención de embarazo e ITS/VIH/SIDA entre adolescentes escolarizados mexicanos.)

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To introduce the study design of an HIV/AIDS and unplanned pregnancy prevention program targeting high school students, and to present the results from the baseline survey.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:
A school curriculum was developed to inform adolescent students about HIV/AIDS/STD prevention, which included information on emergency contraception (EC) for adolescent students. A randomized controlled study was conducted to simultaneously evaluate the effect of this intervention.The baseline survey collected data on contraception knowledge and attitudes regarding sexual behaviors.

RESULTS:
A total of 11,117 students from 40 schools participated in the baseline (52% female, the mean age of both males and females was 15.5). A total of 10% of the females and 24% of the men surveyed were sexually active at baseline, but only 39% of those sexually active reported using a condom at the time of their first sexual intercourse.Among the sexually active students surveyed, a third of the males and a fifth of the females reported at least one condom slip or breakage. Most of the students were aware of EC.

CONCLUSIONS:
The low proportion of students that report using condoms accompanied by their incorrect use points to the need for HIV/AIDS and unplanned pregnancy prevention efforts. This novel approach offers adolescents EC, a backup method to the condom. The approach is feasible as students know what EC is and furthermore it appears that they are willing to use this method.

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Author information

Author/s: Torres, Pilar (P); Walker, Dilys M (DM); Gutiérez, Juan Pablo (JP); Bertozzi, Stefano M (SM);

Affiliation: División de Economía y Evaluación, Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, México.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Salud pública de México (Salud Publica Mex), published in Mexico. (Language: spa)

Reference: -2006 Jul-Aug; vol 48 (issue 4) : pp 308-16

Dates: Created 2006/08/17; Completed 2006/11/27; Revised 2007/01/17;

PMID: 16913455, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - prevention & control
Adolescent
Female
HIV Infections - prevention & control
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans

Male
Pregnancy
Pregnancy in Adolescence - prevention & control
Program Evaluation
School Health Services
Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control

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