[Validation of an HIV and other sexually transmitted infections knowledge scale in an adolescent population].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research is to determine the validity and reliability of a questionnaire designed to specifically assess the knowledge of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in a Spanish adolescent population.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study for the validation of a questionnaire.


METHODS
A total of 17 schools in five Spanish provinces.


METHODS
A total of 1,570 adolescent schoolchildren between 13 and 17 years old.


METHODS
A pool of 40 items relating to knowledge about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections was established. This pool was analyzed by an expert panel. It was then administered to a pilot group with the same demographic characteristics of the sample, to ensure comprehension.


METHODS
Item analysis, internal consistency, test/retest and exploratory factorial analysis.


RESULTS
A factor analysis was performed, in which five factors that explained 46% of the total variance were retained: general knowledge about HIV, condom as a protective method, routes of HIV transmission, the prevention of HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections. Reliability measures ranged from 0.66 to 0.88. The test-retest correlation was 0.59. There were gender differences in the knowledge of infections.


CONCLUSIONS
These factors have adequate internal consistency and acceptable test-retest correlation. Theoretically, these factors fit properly with the content of the items. The factors have a moderate relationship, indicating that a high degree of knowledge about an aspect, but not a guarantee of general knowledge. The availability of a questionnaire to assess knowledge of sexually transmitted infections is helpful to evaluate prevention programs.
Departamento de Psicología de la Salud, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Alicante, España. Electronic address: jpespada@umh.es.
José Pedro
JP
Espada
Departamento de Psicología de la Salud, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Alicante, España.
Alejandro
A
Guillén-Riquelme
Departamento de Psicología de la Salud, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Alicante, España.
Alexandra
A
Morales
Departamento de Psicología de la Salud, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Alicante, España.
Mireia
M
Orgilés
Departamento de Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológico, Universidad de Granada, Granada, España.
Juan Carlos
JC
Sierra
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Adolescentes; Adolescents; Conocimiento; HIV; Infecciones de transmisión sexual; Knowledge; Sexually transmitted infections; VIH