High School Students’ Knowledge and Teaching of Sexually Transmitted Infections at Public Institutions
Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a didactic instrument for teaching sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among high school students of state schools based on their previous knowledge of STIs and to identify the most vulnerable population groups to such infections. This is a cross-sectional quantitative study. A total of 330 students, mostly aged 14 to 17 years, were interviewed. Concerning sexual activity, 51.5% reported having had sexual intercourse, and over half reported having initiated it in elementary school, with one out of five students aged 12 years or younger. In this group, 70% stated that they had a steady partner. For monogamy, approximately 60% mentioned practicing it for one month at most. Regarding STIs, 60% were unaware that having an STI increases the risk of acquiring the human immunodeficiency virus, and over 75% did not know how to put on and take off a condom. Regarding knowledge of the subject, 60.5% admitted to having doubts, and over 90% stated that they learned something from the study questionnaire. We concluded that the instrument was effective in teaching the subject and that one out of two students had already started their sexual life, without sufficient family and institutional guidance confirmed by the knowledge of STIs and forms of prevention.
