[Awareness and education regarding sexually transmitted diseases among undergraduate students]

The association between knowledge about HIV and risk factors in young Amazon people

OBJECTIVES

analyze the association between the level of HIV knowledge among young people from Amazonas region, their sociodemographic profile and infection risk factors.

METHODS

cross-sectional analytical study, which used a structured questionnaire containing questions about sociodemographic, behavioral aspects and HIV knowledge. Data were grouped by sex and underwent ordinal and binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

the students had an HIV knowledge deficit, associated with a low educational level of their parents and low family income. The most frequent risk factors were lack of knowledge on the part of female students regarding proper male condom use, their infrequent use in sexual relations and failure to do HIV testing. There was an association between level of knowledge and use of dating apps by female students.

CONCLUSIONS

there was no association between level of knowledge and the preponderant risk factors, but the students' knowledge deficit rendered them more vulnerable to infection.

PRACTICES FOR THE PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the sexual practices adopted by university students for the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections Method: a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study, conducted in 2016, at a private university in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A convenience sample was selected, stratified by gender, of 768 students who answered a self-administered questionnaire, structured with variables of sociodemographic characterization and related to knowledge about sexually transmitted infections, sexual practices, prevention practices and care with sexual health. In the analysis, descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and analysis of variance were used, with a significance level of 5%. Results: most of the university students ‒ 654 (85.16%) ‒ had an active sex life and 480 (62.54%) did not use condoms in all their sexual encounters. Among the participants, 509 (84.83%) said they had sexual intercourse with a steady partner, of which 224 (44.01%) used a condom. In the investigated group, 313 (47.86%) had relationships with casual partners, with 199 (63.58%) reporting having used a condom. Among the participants, 174 (26.61%) had their sexual practices classified as adequate/satisfactory. Conclusion: the findings show that the university students investigated present a risk behavior for Sexually Transmitted Infections due to inadequate/unsatisfactory sexual practices. Health education actions should consider cultural and individual aspects of the group in order to encourage reflection on practices for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

PRACTICES FOR THE PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the sexual practices adopted by university students for the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections Method: a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study, conducted in 2016, at a private university in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A convenience sample was selected, stratified by gender, of 768 students who answered a self-administered questionnaire, structured with variables of sociodemographic characterization and related to knowledge about sexually transmitted infections, sexual practices, prevention practices and care with sexual health. In the analysis, descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and analysis of variance were used, with a significance level of 5%. Results: most of the university students ‒ 654 (85.16%) ‒ had an active sex life and 480 (62.54%) did not use condoms in all their sexual encounters. Among the participants, 509 (84.83%) said they had sexual intercourse with a steady partner, of which 224 (44.01%) used a condom. In the investigated group, 313 (47.86%) had relationships with casual partners, with 199 (63.58%) reporting having used a condom. Among the participants, 174 (26.61%) had their sexual practices classified as adequate/satisfactory. Conclusion: the findings show that the university students investigated present a risk behavior for Sexually Transmitted Infections due to inadequate/unsatisfactory sexual practices. Health education actions should consider cultural and individual aspects of the group in order to encourage reflection on practices for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

Human papillomavirus knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors: A questionnaire adaptation

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to adapt a questionnaire about the knowledge, beliefs and behaviors regarding HPV and related subjects into Brazilian Portuguese.

STUDY DESIGN

National Survey.

METHODS

The instrument was translated into Portuguese and retranslated into English separately. Experts assessed the validity of the content and cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument. The instrument was administered to 8580 male and female Brazilian adolescents and young adults (aged between 16 and 25 years) who participated in the National Survey of Human Papillomavirus Prevalence (POP-Brazil). This large-scale survey enrolled participants from 26 Brazilian capitals and the Federal District.

RESULTS

The full questionnaire is composed of 30 questions, with a good absolute agreement between its two halves (61.16 ± 9.97). The preventive behavior section showed the lowest agreement. Men and women showed a difference concerning their knowledge about HPV (score for men 0.48 (± 8.93) vs. women 0.55 (± 4.51), p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The proposed questionnaire is the first instrument able to describe the knowledge, beliefs and behaviors regarding HPV and related subjects in Brazilian women and men. This questionnaire appears to be adequate for use in future studies that may produce evidence and knowledge on these specific topics.

Young university students and the knowledge about sexually transmitted infections

Abstract Objective: To analyze the relationship between the social aspects of university students and the knowledge about the transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study carried out at a university. The participants were university students aged 18 to 29 and with active enrollment. The stratified uniform sample was adopted by sex, making a total of 384 male students and 384 female students. The instrument of data collection used was a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: Young university students had knowledge below-average regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections, as for association with social aspects, female students, married or living together, who had children and attended the health area, had more knowledge, being statistically significant (p=<0.05). Conclusion: It is necessary to improve the health education strategies of the young university population.