
Sexual behavior and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among university students in Sao Paulo, Brazil
2010; Elsevier BV; Volume: 110; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.02.012
ISSN1879-3479
AutoresMaria Eugênia Caetano, Iara M. Linhares, José Aristodemo Pinotti, Ângela Maggio da Fonseca, Maria Dulce Wojitani, Paulo César Giraldo,
Tópico(s)HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
ResumoTo investigate the sexual behavior and knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among undergraduate students in Sao Paulo, Brazil.Self-reported questionnaires were used.Most of the 447 students in the study were single (97.3%), in their first year of university (87.7%), and the mean ages were 20.4 years (males) and 19.8 years (females). Vaginal intercourse was practiced by 69.7% of males and 48.4% of females, oral sex by 64.5% of males and 43.7% of females, and anal sex by 18.4% of males and 14.1% of females. Use of a condom during vaginal sex was practiced by 80.4% of males and 74.8% of females and during anal sex by 47.8% of males and 30.0% of females. Knowledge of transmission of STIs was greater than 90% for HIV, syphilis, genital herpes, and gonorrhea; 63%-76% for HPV and genital warts; 30%-34% for Trichomonas and only 16% for Chlamydia. Only 25%-34% knew that HIV was transmitted by breastfeeding; 56%-60% knew that HIV was transmitted by anal sex.Many students engage in high-risk sexual behavior with multiple partners and use condoms inconsistently. Knowledge of the acquisition and modes of sexual and vertical transmission of HIV are strikingly deficient.
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