Conocimiento sobre VIH-SIDA en estudiantes de secundaria de cartagena, Colombia

Abstract

Objective Determining the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge amongst high-students living in Cartagena, Colombia. Method A cross-sectional study was designed using a sample of secondary school students who completed a six-question questionnaire about their knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the myths related to it. Logistic regression was used for adjusting associations. Results A total of 2,625 10- to 20-year-old students participated in the research. A group of 249 (9.5 OR; 8.4-10.6 95%CI) answered the questionnaire properly. Being a high-school student (2.62 OR; 4.82-13.29 95%CI) and studying in a private school (1.32 OR, 1.24 to 3.54 95%CI), adjusted for age, were associated with having good HIV/AIDS knowledge. Conclusions Students from secondary schools in Cartagena were seen to have limited knowledge of HIV/AIDS. A higher level of knowledge was observed amongst high school and private school students. More research is needed to strengthen sexual and reproductive health education.