Conhecimento de preservativo masculino entre adolescentes: Estudo de base populacional no semiárido Nordestino, Brasil

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of lack of knowledge on condoms and to identify associated factors among teenagers in two municipalities (counties) in Piauí State, Brazil, in mid-2008. Standardized home interviews were conducted by trained interviewers with all the teenagers (13-19 years of age). The study investigated demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and knowledge on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The outcome variable was lack of knowledge on male condoms. The multivariate analysis used Poisson regression with robust variance. Of the 2,241 adolescents, 18.8% claimed ignorance of male condoms. Among individuals with at least 9 years of schooling, only 4% lacked knowledge on condoms. Meanwhile, among individuals who lacked knowledge on STDs, 74% lacked knowledge on condoms. In the adjusted analysis, female gender, younger age, low schooling, not having a girlfriend, and lack of knowledge on oral contraception and STDs increased the likelihood of lack of knowledge on condoms. The data showed the urgent need for awareness-raising interventions on condom use among adolescents in these municipalities.