Abstract

CARDONA ARIAS, Jaiberth Antonio; ARBOLEDA CARMONA, Paulina  and  ROSERO ASCUNTAR, Carolina. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices regarding sexually transmitted infections among adolescents in Caldas (Colombia). Salud, Barranquilla [online]. 2013, vol.29, n.2, pp.236-248. ISSN 0120-5552.

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding STIs in adolescents of Caldas, according to the demographic aspects. Methods: Cross sectional study in 567 adolescents. Data were stored and analyzed in SPSS 18.0 with proportions, summary measures, confidence intervals for the difference of proportions and nonparametric tests such as chi square, Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney. Results: The level of knowledge was unsatisfactory, while the attitudes and practices were satisfactory, only significant differences were found in knowledge according to the residence, being higher in urban and regarding the level of attitudes and practices, they were significantly higher in women. Conclusion: The level of knowledge in this group was poor compared to the efforts of educational institutions and health departments; however, attitudes had a satisfactory qualification that could lead to the achievement of safer sex practices. These results could improve education programs in sexual and reproductive health.

Keywords : adolescents; knowledge; attitudes; practices; infection; transmission; sexual.

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