How much do teenagers Know about STD

• Type: International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2010

Authors

Paulo Santos (Author) FMUP; Isabel Nazaré (Author) Other

Publisher

16th WONCA EUROPE CONFERENCE

Malaga, Spain

Conference International

16th WONCA EUROPE CONFERENCE

Malaga, Spain, 6 a 9 de Outubro de 2010

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

CORDIS: Health sciences > Medical sciences > Medicine > Family medicine ; Health sciences > Medical sciences > Medicine > Pediatrics

Other information

Abstract (EN): Introduction: Much has been written about the way teenagers live their sexuality, especially in means of self protection on sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and campaigns focus on delivering information in order of increase skills that take to a reduction on incidence and prevalence of these health problems. The best way of reaching this objective is to go to population and ask for their doubts. Aim: The purpose of our study was to determine the self reported degree of knowledge about STD and to determine the prevalence of misconceptions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of teenagers formed by all students of 9th and 10th degree of a basic school in Lordelo, Paredes, a rural region of north of Portugal. A self-response questionnaire was delivered to students in last week of November.2009, asking about information about different STD, ways of prevention, misconceptions on STD and sexual experience. Confidence interval of 95% and qui square test were used to test associations. Results: 147 teens answered questionnaire (57% female) with a mean age of 14,84 years (CI95%, 14,68-15,00), corresponding to 99% of students. 42,2% answered classified their knowledge on STD as good or excellent. Mostly their information sources are the school (62,6%), their family (53,1%) and their friends (36,1%). Just 4,8% took information with their general practitioner. 97,3% identified condoms as protective against STD but the overall correct answers to preventive means was 29,4% (CI95% - 26,7-32,1%). On the choice of partner, teens reported as important or very important the real availability of condoms (92,6%), the degree of knowledge about him/her (72,8%), and general appearance of partner (59,1%). 10,9% reported at least one sexual intercourse and just one boy said that already had a STD. Conclusions: The preventive role of condom use in STD is established in this population. Some misconceptions need more and perhaps better information. The role of general practitioner is undercapitalized.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific