HIV/AIDS risk factors among adolescent students in Puerto Rico, 1994.

PURPOSE

Identify several HIV risk behaviors among adolescent students.

METHODS

The sample (n = 3,648) was selected using a two-staged stratified cluster sampling design, and weighted to represent all junior high and high school students.

RESULTS

About 28.8% of the students reported ever having sexual activity. Less than half of the sexually active (44.5%) used condoms during their last sexual activity; 27.6% used them always. Only 54.7% knew correctly > 75% of the HIV knowledge questions. A HIV risk scale was constructed using five risk factors. About 15.9% of the students did not have any risk factor, 36.2% had one, 47.9% had two or more. Males and high school students had significantly more risk factors. Half of the students will abstain from having sex next year because they don't want to get HIV/AIDS.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to implement effective HIV prevention programs for adolescents in order to change their attitudes and behaviors.