Knowledge about sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy among indigenous adolescents in southern Mexico

Abstract

Objective. To analyze the knowledge about STIs, HIV/AIDS and pregnancy in indigenous adolescents from southern Mexico.

Materials and methods: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study. The study population was made up of 190 adolescents from a public secondary school, from an indigenous community of the Chinanteca ethnic group in the state of Oaxaca. The type of sampling was non-probabilistic convenience sampling in adolescent high school students between the ages of 12 and 15, of both sexes, in a final sample of 81 adolescents. A Personal Data Card was applied and knowledge about STIs, HIV/AIDS and pregnancy was evaluated through the questionnaire on pregnancy, AIDS and STIs. 

Results. About three quarters of the sample are unaware of an STI. Regarding knowledge about HIV/AIDS, 61.7%, 72.8% and 55.6% of the adolescents responded correctly to item 13, 14 and 19; which examine knowledge about the mechanisms of transmission of HIV/AIDS (for example, Secretions such as semen, blood, and vaginal fluid may have the presence of the AIDS virus).While in items 15, 16, 17 and 18, the vast majority of adolescents demonstrate ignorance about risk behaviors that can lead to acquiring HIV/AIDS. Regarding pregnancy, more than half of the participants are unaware of the situations that can cause it.

Conclusions. Adolescents have a lack of knowledge about sexual issues, which can lead them to risk behaviors for contracting STIs, HIV and pregnancies at an early age, which indicates the need to influence sexual education in this population group with an intercultural and human rights perspective.

Keywords: Adolescent; Sexual health; Indigenous peoples