Robles MS, Frías AB, Moreno RD, Rodríguez CM, Barroso VR

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 317-340
PDF size: 377.99 Kb.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to assess, in a sample of sexually active teenagers, the level of information they reported about HIV/AIDS and other STIs, the sexual themes which they have spoken about with their parents and their current partner, and, the styles they used to negotiate condom use with their partner. In addition, differences by gender and between those who consistently use condoms and those who use it inconsistently were obtained. 141 middle and high school teenagers with an average age of 16.8 years participated in the study. Participants were randomly selected from 4 public schools in Mexico City. Results show the collaboration-equity negotiation style in regards to condom use was significantly higher in the consistent condom use group (4.36) compared to the inconsistent condom use group (3.63, t =- 2988, p ‹ 0.005), while the percentage of participants who reported having talked with their parents and with their partners about sexuality, and the level of information they have about STI/HIV/AIDS, was similar between both groups. In the consistent group, the collaboration-equity style was correlated with talking with parents about unplanned pregnancies (rho=0.589, p‹ .01) and with the knowledge they possess of symptoms (r=.438, p‹ .05), transmission (r=.531, p‹ .05) and HIV/AIDS (r=.533, p‹ .01), whereas in the group of inconsistent condom use, the competitive negotiation style was negatively correlated with having talked with parents about birth control pills (rho=-0.446, p‹ .05), and male condoms (rho=-0.417, p‹ .05). These findings show that information has a direct effect on communication with parents and partner, as well as on negotiating styles; at the same time, communication with parents and sexual partner seems to be affecting negotiation styles, which has an effect on promoting the consistent use of condoms.