[Preventive behaviors for the sexual transmission of AIDS, other infections, and pregnancy in high-school students].
OBJECTIVE
To describe preventive behaviors and behavioral intentions related to AIDS sexual transmission, other sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies among 10th grade Barcelona students.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study. Stratified random sample from Barcelona secondary schools in 1996.


METHODS
Secondary schools.


METHODS
981 students at 35 10th grade classrooms.


RESULTS
82% of the students are 15-16 years old. 58% are girls. 16% have had sexual intercourse (boys 18% and girls 14%); among those, 43% of males and 30% of females have had only once sexual intercourse. 78% use always or almost always a condom. 22% of boys and 44% of girls have refused at least an opportunity of unprotected intercourse. Boys feel more confident to buy, carry on and use a condom, however girls feel more confident in convincing their partner and refusing unprotected sex. Among those with sexual experience, partner opinion predicts condom use (boys OR = 30.8 and girls OR = 8.8), as well as partner use (boys OR = 14.2 and girls OR = 15.4). Intention to use condoms with a regular partner is related to the perception of youth normative behaviors (boys OR = 10.9 and girls OR = 4.4) and friends opinion (boys OR = 6.2 and girls OR = 5.4). Condom use with a non regular partner is related also to the perception that its use avoids infections and unwanted pregnancies (boys OR = 9.9 and girls OR = 8.0). Intention to refuse unprotected sex relates, in both genders, to youth normative behaviors and self-efficacy to refuse unprotected intercourse.


CONCLUSIONS
16% of the 10th grade students have had a sexual intercourse. Only half part of them use always condom, although it is the contraceptive method more frequently used. Condom use relates mainly to partners opinions and their current use. Intentions to use condoms are associated also to friends opinion and youth social norm perception. Intention to use a condom with non regular partners aims avoiding diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
Juárez
O
O
Centre d'Estudis per a la Prevenció de la Sida, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.
Díez
E
E
Barniol
J
J
Villamarín
F
F
Nebot
M
M
Villalbí
J R
JR
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012737:Sex Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*