Does a condom-promoting strategy (the Swiss STOP-AIDS campaign) modify sexual behavior among adolescents?
OBJECTIVE
To measure sexual behavior changes (especially the use of condoms) among adolescents after 5 years of a population-based acquired immunodeficiency syndrome prevention strategy at the national and regional level.


METHODS
Two comparative cross-sectional surveys by self-administered questionnaires were conducted in 1987 and 1990.


METHODS
Two similar samples of 16- to 19-year-old apprentices. The two samples, 1987 (n = 1359) and 1990 (n = 817), are comparable in terms of sex, age, profession, and location.


RESULTS
The percentage of boys who say they are sexually active has remained the same (75%) and has slightly increased among younger girls (65% to 75%, NS). The average number of partners has remained steady for boys and girls. Regular use of any contraceptive device has remained steady among girls (75%) and increased among boys (1987, 38%; 1990, 54%; P < .001). In 1987 as well as in 1990, the condom was the most widely used method (> 90%), followed by the pill (50%), withdrawal (20%), and chemicals (5%). Rates were about the same for both sexes. Rates of irregular use of condoms increased among boys and girls (P < .01); regular use of condoms increased among boys (22% to 34%, P < .01) and girls (10% to 27%, P < .001); use of the pill has slightly decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
During a 5-year period, the Swiss "STOP-AIDS" campaign and local interventions had had no real effect on the rate of sexual activity of apprentices but had had a positive effect on the use of contraception and condoms. The prevention strategy should (and will) be maintained in the future.
Hausser
D
D
Institut universitaire de médicine sociale et préventive (University Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine), Lausanne, Switzerland.
Michaud
P A
PA
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013557:Switzerland