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


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.
Torres
Pilar
P
División de Economía y Evaluación, Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, México.
Walker
Dilys M
DM
Gutiérez
Juan Pablo
JP
Bertozzi
Stefano M
SM
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*