Adolescents and sexual risk behaviors

Abstract

Objectives The first goal of the study is to give a general view on HIV infection knowledge. The second goal is to evaluate the impact of peer education considering their information on the virus, the changes in behavior relatively to condom utilization their knowledge on efficient methods preventing from HIV infection and the Self-Regulatory Efficacy Scale. Methods An ad hoc questionnaire and the Self -Regulatory Efficacy Scale, were administered to 1775 students (age mean 16.1±1.86 yr). The second objective has been reached by a three-time realization of the test (pre-test, post- test, follow-up) both on the experimental group (210 students; mean 15.3±0.63 yr) trained by peer education and on the non-trained control group (221 students; mean 15.4±074 yr). Results The results of the first test (1775 students) have demonstrated that students display a quite adequate knowledge on HIV, in spite of some defaults regarding the symptoms, diagnosis or vaccination. In particular our data show a high percentage of teenagers that do not use condoms. The evaluation of the training has revealed a significant difference between trained vs non-trained group in HIV knowledge (F(1, 405)=18.8; p = .001) and information related to efficient preventive behaviors (F(1, 405)=10.1; p = .002). Conclusion The intervention of peer education both increases the knowledge of and the behavior towards HIV/AIDS infection and helps teenagers’capacity to evaluate risky behavior and exposures.