Basis: Adolescents are becoming sexually active at an increasingly young age, and risk contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Between 2009 and 2013, the incidence rate of this illness among 15 to 19 year olds rose by 74.1% in Chile. Studies suggest that modification of sexual behavior through educational initiatives is a means by which young people can be encouraged to avoid risky behavior. The objective of this study is to analyze the impact of an educational intervention about HIV/AIDS on knowledge, sexual behavior, and the tendency to discriminate against individuals with HIV, among 9th grade students from a private, subsidized secondary school in Antofagasta, Chile. Methods: Longitudinal study of 70 adolescents between 14 and 15 years of age. The students were evaluated before and after an educational intervention about HIV/AIDS using a survey designed to measure their knowledge, behavior and attitudes. Results: In terms of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, the number of students obtaining results classed as Very Good and Excellent increased from 17% pre-intervention to 72% after the intervention. Those who correctly identified preventative measures increased from 54% to 78%, and those who claimed that being homosexual or bisexual leads to a greater risk of developing HIV reduced from 36% to 30%. Conclusions: The level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS increased. Preventative sexual behaviors increased in the hypothetical situations presented by the study. With regard to potentially discriminatory attitudes, there was a small decrease.
Keywords:
educación para la salud, educación sexual, enfermedades de transmisión sexual, VIH, SIDA, síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida, adolescentes, discriminación, health education, sexual education, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, AIDS, adolescents, discrimination
Author Biographies
Marco Marrodán-García, Universidad de Antofagasta, Departamento de Obstetricia
Matrón
Romina Álvarez-Giménez, Universidad de Antofagasta, Departamento de Obstetricia
Matrona
Claudia Muñoz-Tapia, Universidad de Antofagasta. Departamento de Obstetricia
Matrona
Karina Vega-Pizarro, Departamento Municipal de Salud. Los Vilos
Matrona
Katherine Véliz-Romero, Hospital Antonio Tirado Lanas. Ovalle
Marrodán-García, M., Álvarez-Giménez, R., Muñoz-Tapia, C., Vega-Pizarro, K., & Véliz-Romero, K. (2018). Evaluation of an educational intervention on HIV/AIDS for adolescent students in Antofagasta, Chile. Revista Chilena De Salud Pública, 22(1), p. 63–70. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-5281.2018.51037
