HIV/AIDS risk factors among adolescent students in Puerto Rico, 1994

PURPOSE: Identify several HIV risk behaviors among adolescent students. METHODS: The sample (n = 3,648) was selected using a two-staged stratified cluster sampling design, and weighted to represent all junior high and high school students. RESULTS: About 28.8 of the students reported ever having sexual activity. Less than half of the sexually active (44.5) used condoms during their last sexual activity; 27.6 used them always. Only 54.7 knew correctly > 75 of the HIV knowledge questions. A HIV risk scale was constructed using five risk factors. About 15.9 of the students did not have any risk factor, 36.2 had one, 47.9 had two or more. Males and high school students had significantly more risk factors. Half of the students will abstain from having sex next year because they don't want to get HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to implement effective HIV prevention programs for adolescents in order to change their attitudes and behaviors

Profile of a population using a primary health care center in Puerto Rico

PURPOSE: To describe the services delivered by the Family Medicine Physicians at a Community Health Center. METHODS: All information from patient visits during the natural year 1996 were registered using a commercialized computer program. The information was gathered by different means: initial interview, physician's report, records, and personal interviews. RESULTS: A total of 13,203 visits were registered; this represent a total of 4,493 patients. Most of the patients were women, and with a mean age of 38. As expected, most of the patients have Medicaid. The most common conditions seen were hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. The mean number of visits during the year for almost all conditions was three. Most of the children and adolescents visit the Center due to respiratory conditions, while adults come due to hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal conditions