title: [Sexually transmitted diseases: educational intervention among teenagers in a technical-professional teaching center].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexually transmitted diseases are among the leading health problems of humankind. They are highly prevalent diseases that cause distress, disability and significant severe complications. These infections do not have high mortality rates in general, with the exception of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, and Hepatitis B that cause a significant number of deaths.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To improve the level of knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases among a group of teenagers of Bernabé Boza Technical School, county of Camagüey, and assess the effectiveness of the intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Knowledge assessments were conducted before and after the intervention in Bernabé Boza Technical School between January and June 2012. The sample universe was 120 students who comprised the complete second year enrollment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a predominance of female sixteen-year-old teenagers. The knowledge level about features of sexually transmitted diseases increased significantly after the intervention among the teenagers in the study (71.7% versus 95.8% p<0.0001), route of infection (74.2% versus 100% p<0.0001), and prevention (20% versus 91.7% p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The educational intervention increased significantly the level of knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases among the teenagers, Thus, this is an important educational tool in this age group.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Higiene y Epidemiología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas Dr. Carlos Juan Finlay, Camagüey, Cuba. Address: Carretera Central (Oeste) km 3½, Camagüey CP 70100, Cuba. Email: dair@finlay.cmw.sld.cu.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dair
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Higiene y Epidemiología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas Dr. Carlos Juan Finlay, Camagüey, Cuba.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Higiene y Epidemiología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas Dr. Carlos Juan Finlay, Camagüey, Cuba.
authors.forename: Mérida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencia e Innovación Tecnológica, Facultad de Tecnología de la Salud, Camagüey, Cuba.
authors.forename: Anaiza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbé
authors.affiliation: Vice-Rectoría de Ciencia e Innovación Tecnológica, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, Camagüey, Cuba.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003462:Cuba; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control