SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.29 issue2Data Exporter: A complementary tool to export data simulation from neuronFrecuence and risk factors for the development of metabolic syndrome in the obesity program patients of a health institution in Barranquilla (Colombia), 2011 author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

Related links

  • On index processCited by Google
  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO
  • On index processSimilars in Google

Share


Revista Salud Uninorte

Print version ISSN 0120-5552

Abstract

BARCELO MARTINEZ, Rodrigo  and  NAVARRO LECHUGA, Edgar. Knowledge attitudes and skills in adolescents from the public sector of Barranquilla (Colombia) related to their sexuality. Salud, Barranquilla [online]. 2013, vol.29, n.2, pp.298-314. ISSN 0120-5552.

Objective: To determine knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescents, from public schools in Barranquilla, related to their sexuality. Materials and methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in a random sample of 2.460 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, of both sexes, in grades 6 to 11 (high school). Data were collected using a self-report survey. Results: 58% of the participants were women, and 1% of the sample reported having a stable romantic relationship. The main results are: Parents as a role models, lack of role models in teachers, early onset of sexual intercourse in both sexes (14,76 years [±1.6] in women, and 13,79 years [±2,12] in men); unclear expectations of future sex partners (21% plan to have 2 or more sexual partners not at the same time, and 8,6% at the same time), segments of teenagers having group sex (12.7% of men vs. 4% of women [p<0.05]) and for money (14% of those who had had sex), enough knowledge about safe sex (67.4% of men and 63.2% of women believe in condoms as a safe sex method for having sex [p<0,05]), sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (70.6% of men and 69.2% of women [p>0,05]) and its transmission mechanisms, but limited use of condoms and other family planning methods, and identification of weaknesses in sexual education of adolescents. Conclusions: There is an apparent failure in the education processes of adolescents, reflected in the results of the study. This failure implies to make adjustments in the current Sexual Health Promotion Programs offered by Health and Education authorities of Barranquilla. The present study detects some inconsistencies in the knowledge, atitudes and practices of adolescents from Barranquilla that impact upon their sexuality development in a negative way.

Keywords : Sexuality; Sexual health; survey.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )