Study of AIDS-related factors among high school students

The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Aids), is a pandemy with high level of lethality. Adolescents beginning their sexual activity, may get sexual diseases and among these Aids. Adolescence pregnancy is very common all around the country indicating that preventive mesures are not efficient; the same can be said do STD. A previous diagnosis of the situation where one intend to act is an objective way used by educators in education programs of health, scientifically elaborated. Based on these concepts, this study has the target to get information in order to make the demograph profile and identify the factors that make the students of high-school to have a hehaviour of risk in relation to Aids. The sample studied was represented by 360 students of the first, second and third series of high-school, in two schools in the town of Peruíbe, São Paulo, Brazil. It was an exploratory and descriptive study in which was used an organized questionnaire. The results showed that 50.6% of the students have doubts on they safety of mutual masturbation as sexual practice; the majority has good knowledge in relation to Aids, but 50,5% believe that people who donate blood can be contaminated; 62.3% say that use interrupted coitus to prevent Aids and 30.4% anticonceptional drugs; 53.2% think that there is small or no risk to get Aids; 87.7% think that it is very important or important men's fidelity and 89.3% women's fidelity; for 29.7% and 40.6%, the virginity, respectively of men and women, is considerated important; 23.5% and 26.9% respectively men's and women's sexual abstinency are important in preventing Aids; 58.6% have already had sexual intercourses; 49.5% of boys began sexual activities around 10 and 13 years old and the girls between 14 and 17 years old; 56.9% had sexual intercourses on the last 30 days; 48.3% declare that use condoms in all sexual intercourses, 38.3% somentimes and 11.0% never; 45.1% declare that use alchoolic drinks; 95.2% say that don't use injected drugs; 62.5% don't have health insurance; 60.6% use the public health system; 45.3% work; 63.3% receive between 1 and 2 minimum salary; 25.8% of the student's family have a monthly income between 1 and 4 minimum salary; 70.8% talk about Aids with friends, 54.4% with the mother, 43.9% with boy/girl friends, 40.3% with brother or sister, 30.6 with teachers, 29.7% with the father, 17.5% with the health professional; 50.3% say that follow what these people say, 30.8% follow sometimes and 12.8% don't follow at all. 70.8% say that TV is the most important source of information. This study has the aim to obtain information to help the authorities responsible for education and health in elaboration of preventive programs according to reality presented by the students