[Knowledge and practice of adolescents in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases].

This study aims at evaluating the knowledge of adolescents regarding the prevention and transmission of DST's, HIV/AIDS. It was carried out in a school in the city of Canoas/RS. 121 students, with age between 12-19 participated in the study. According to the interviews 22.3% said that their sexual life starts at the age between 12 and 16. Student's knowledge regarding the transmission of DST's is evident, since 79% of the students pointed out that those diseases are transmitted through sexual contact if there is no use of condoms. However some myths and stereotypes related to these disease were also identified. 16.3% of the adolescents believe that contamination can occur in bathrooms, swimming pools and saunas.