Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Chillán, Chile.
OBJECTIVE
to analyse adolescents' knowledge of preventive sexual practices related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) by means of a questionnaire recommended by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).


METHODS
non-experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical investigation.


METHODS
four schools in Chillán, Chile, 2005.


METHODS
a total of 480 adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years. Students completed a questionnaire recommended by UNAIDS in order to develop basic indicators.


RESULTS
the indicator of preventive sexual practices related to HIV/AIDS was 32.5%; forms of prevention (62.5%) were better known than erroneous ideas about transmission (46%). Adolescents from the only private school in the study demonstrated greater knowledge (43.3%) than students from the public schools (25%) (p<0.01). No significant differences were found in knowledge according to age, sex or educational level.


CONCLUSIONS
adolescents have poor knowledge of preventive sexual practices related to HIV and AIDS. It is necessary to implement an indicator of knowledge that allows for the creation and monitoring of sexual education programmes.
Pérez V
Ruth
R
Department of Obstetrics and Perinatalogy, Medical School of Concepción University, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile. ruperez@udec.cl
Barrales C
Ingrid
I
Jara P
Jenny
J
Palma R
Virla
V
Ceballos M
Alejandra
A
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012736:Sex Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult