INTRODUCTION: The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection in young people and recognized as the most important risk factor for cervical cancer (CC). AIM: To describe the degree of knowledge that a group of Chilean teenagers have of HPV infection, CC, and its relationship with preventive behavior. METHODS: This is an analytical study, with a random sample of 226 adolescents from three public schools of the Metropolitan Region in Santiago. RESULTS: A fifth of the interviewed students did not know there was a HPV vaccine. Multiple sexual partners was indicated as a risk factor of CC by 70.8% and of HPV infection by 78.3% of them; while 60.3% identified inheritance as a risk factor. HPV transmission through unprotected sexual relations was identified by 68.2% of the sample. Of sexually active adolescents, condom use during sexual relations was reported by 31.1%. The adolescents who use condoms significantly have more knowledge regarding the number of sexual partners and age of first sexual intercourse as a risk factor for CC. CONCLUSION: adolescents know about HPV transmission, however, the preventing conducts are not related to this information.
INTRODUCTION: The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection in young people and recognized as the most important risk factor for cervical cancer (CC). AIM: To describe the degree of knowledge that a group of Chilean teenagers have of HPV infection, CC, and its relationship with preventive behavior. METHODS: This is an analytical study, with a random sample of 226 adolescents from three public schools of the Metropolitan Region in Santiago. RESULTS: A fifth of the interviewed students did not know there was a HPV vaccine. Multiple sexual partners was indicated as a risk factor of CC by 70.8% and of HPV infection by 78.3% of them; while 60.3% identified inheritance as a risk factor. HPV transmission through unprotected sexual relations was identified by 68.2% of the sample. Of sexually active adolescents, condom use during sexual relations was reported by 31.1%. The adolescents who use condoms significantly have more knowledge regarding the number of sexual partners and age of first sexual intercourse as a risk factor for CC. CONCLUSION: adolescents know about HPV transmission, however, the preventing conducts are not related to this information.
Authors: Theodora M Zohoncon; Cyrille Bisseye; Florencia W Djigma; Albert T Yonli; Tegwinde R Compaore; Tani Sagna; Djeneba Ouermi; Charlemagne M R Ouédraogo; Virginio Pietra; Jean-Baptiste Nikiéma; Simon A Akpona; Jacques Simpore Journal: Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis Date: 2013-09-02 Impact factor: 2.576