The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50616

Margarida Tavares, MD, Teresa Correia, RN, MSc, and Henrique Barros, MD, PhD. Epidemiology, University of Porto Medical School, Al Prof Hernani Monteiro, Porto, 4200, Portugal, 351225507597, epimed@med.up.pt

Portugal presents the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS among European Union countries and a high prevalence of teenage pregnancies. This study describes condom consistent use in a national representative sample of 15 to 19 years-old students. We obtained self-reported anonymous information for 7238 students (response proportion >95%) regarding previous sexual experience and social, demographic and behavioral factors. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Portuguese version of Beck Depression Inventory II. Analysis was performed in 2564 adolescents (862 girls, 1702 boys) who reported sexual activity. Consistent condom use was significantly more common in males (59.3%) then females (37.7%) and decreased with age in both genders, from 58.7% at 15 to 43.5% among 19 years-old students. A significantly lower prevalence of consistent condom use was associated with increasing number of life-time sexual partners, both in girls (1 partner-40.3%, >5 - 12.9%) and boys (62.8% to 56.5%), decreasing age at first intercourse, past history of physical or sexual abuse, exposure to alcohol or drugs. Also, adolescents that used condoms presented a sex and age adjusted lower prevalence of depression (odds ratio: 0.82; 95% confidence interval: 0.69-1.02). No significant differences were found according to parents education, religious beliefs and practices, or HIV/sexually transmitted diseases (STD) related knowledge. Non consistent condom use was associated with other known risk factors for HIV/STD. Knowledge or other usual social factors were not enough to explain choices among this population showing that other determinants need to be further assessed.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the importance of less discussed factors as determinants of sexual behaviors among adolescents;
• Identify sub-groups of adolescents at increased risk for HIV/STD;
• Discuss strategies to implement HIV/STD prevention in schools

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.