AIDS related knowledge, and sexual practices among two groups of adolescents of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A contribution to HIV/AIDS prevention programs
dos Santos, Elizabeth Moreira
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Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/22114
Description
Title
AIDS related knowledge, and sexual practices among two groups of adolescents of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A contribution to HIV/AIDS prevention programs
Author(s)
dos Santos, Elizabeth Moreira
Issue Date
1995
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Armstrong, R. Warwick
Department of Study
Kinesiology and Community Health
Discipline
Kinesiology and Community Health
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Health Sciences, Public Health
Language
eng
Abstract
"This study contributes to planning of strategies for reducing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission among adolescents by exploring sexual attitudes and behaviors of students in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Epidemiologic characteristics of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and HIV in Brazil and sociodemographic characteristics of the adolescent population of Rio de Janeiro are reviewed. Strategies to prevent AIDS/HIV infection are examined in reference to their appropriateness in the cultural context. Findings are compared from two types of schools, those serving middle class children and those serving lower income and ""street"" children. Sources of information include data from a questionnaire completed by 397 students and qualitative findings from 36 interviews. Unprotected sexual intercourse and substance use that decreases sexual inhibition place this population at risk. More than half of respondents had engaged in sexual intercourse by age 16, the vast majority without protection. Youths in stressful situations had sex earlier and had more partners. Living with both parents, and talking with mothers about sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) decreased the likelihood of sexual experience for both males and females. Catholic females had reduced sexual experience compared to other students. Males who talked with their fathers about sex and STDs had higher frequencies of intercourse. Among youths with more than one partner per year more than 75 percent of sex was unprotected. Over forty percent of intercourse was preceded by alcohol use, but intravenous drug use was infrequent. Youths were comparably knowledgeable to North American contemporaries about HIV/AIDS but less well informed about other STDs. These youths perceived HIV risk as related to sexual orientation rather than to high risk behaviors and perceived their susceptibility as low. Strategies to address policy and educational barriers to reduction of risk for HIV infection are discussed and specific goals for targeting the population studied here are described."
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