Conocimientos y conductas preventivas sobre cáncer cérvico-uterino y virus papiloma humano en un grupo de adolescentes chilenas / Knowdlege and preventive behaviors related to cervical cancer and human papiloma virus in a group of Chilean adolescents

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.

Introducción: El virus papiloma humano (VPH) es una infección de transmisión sexual frecuente en población joven, y reconocido como el factor de riesgo más importante para desarrollar cáncer cérvico-uterino (CC). Objetivo: Describir el grado de conocimiento que tiene un grupo de adolescentes chilenas en relación al CC, al VPH y su relación con las conductas preventivas. Métodos: Estudio analítico, con una muestra aleatoria de 226 adolescentes de tres colegios municipalizados de la Región Metropolitana. Resultados: El 20% de la muestra desconoce la presencia de una vacuna contra el VPH. Las adolescentes señalan como factor de riesgo para desarrollar CC tener múltiples parejas sexuales (70,8%), VPH (78,3%) y la herencia (60,3%). La transmisión del VPH mediante relaciones sexuales sin protección es reconocida por 68,2% de la muestra. El 31,1% de las adolescentes sexualmente activas usa condón durante las relaciones sexuales. Aquellas adolescentes que usan condón señalan un conocimiento significativamente mejor solamente en lo que respecta al número de parejas sexuales y edad de inicio de las relaciones sexuales como factor de riesgo de CC. Conclusión: Las adolescentes conocen sobre la transmisión del VPH; sin embargo, las conductas preventivas no se relacionan con dicho conocimiento.

Survey of Knowledge and Preventive Measures against Novel Influenza during the National Novel Influenza Pandemic Outbreak / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at assessing the knowledge of the general public about novel influenza and the extent of preventive measures undertaken when information on novel influenza and its preventive measures was extensively broadcasted during the novel influenza outbreak. METHODS: Between September 21 and October 31, self-report questionnaires were distributed to 1,200 persons. The completed questionnaires were collected from 1,025 persons. The collected data was used to determine the frequency and percentage as well as to conduct analyses such as t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression by using SPSS WIN 12.0. RESULTS: The knowledge on novel influenza and the performance of preventive measures were scored at 6.58 and 5.10, respectively, on a scale of 12. This finding suggested that the knowledge on novel influenza and the performance of preventive measures were low. The significant factors influencing the participants' knowledge on novel influenza were age and the experience of watching relevant educational programs on television, whereas the factors influencing the performance of preventive measures were academic career, working status, and the experience of watching relevant educational programs on television. Between knowledge and implementation of preventive measures, there was positive correlation at low level (r=0.112, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study demonstrated that factors influencing the knowledge on and the performance of preventive measures against a disease should be considered when developing prevention strategies, such as broadcast of educational programs on television, against influenza or similar infectious diseases during an outbreak.

Variables psicológicas como predictores de conductas de prevención relacionadas con la infección por VIH / Psychological variables as predictors of preventive behaviors related to HIV

Objetivo: Estudio transversal que tuvo como su objetivo identificar si variables que incluían a los conocimientos, creencias y motivos se constituían en predictores de dos conductas de prevención relacionadas con la infección por VIH: ½Evitar una relación sexual con penetración¼ e Intención de uso de preservativo en el futuro¼. Métodos: De una muestra original de 648 estudiantes pertenecientes a dos instituciones educativas que se localizan en Hermosillo, México, se trabajó con una submuestra de 328 estudiantes que en el momento del estudio informaron no tener experiencia sexual. Para el analisis de los datos se utilizaron estadísticas descriptivas, el x2 de Pearson y un analisis multivariado de regresión logística. Resultados: El anßlisis con el x2 de Pearson arrojó diferencias significativas en ambas conductas: para los que habían tenido oportunidad de comprometerse en una relación sexual con penetración y la habían evitado (x2 [2]=45.378; p=0.000), así como entre quienes respondieron a una baja o una alta probabilidad de usar preservativo en el futuro (x2 [2]=235.622; p=0.000). El analisis de regresión logística reveló que la variable motivos predijo la conducta evitar una relación sexual con penetración (x22 [9]=33.805; p=0.000), mientras que también la variable motivos predijo la conducta intención de uso de preservativo en el futuro (x2 [8]=18.069; p=0.021).Conclusiones: Se discute la importancia que reviste la variable motivos en el contexto de los programas dirigidos a prevenir la infección por VIH en ese sector de la población.

Fundament: A cross-sectional study was carried out with the main objective to identify if psychological variables including knowledge, belief, and motivation predicted two prevention behaviors related to HIV infection: ½To postpone a sexual intercourse¼ and ½Condom use intention¼. Method: From an original sample of 648 students of two institutions located in Hermosillo, Mexico, we worked with a subsample of 328 students whom reported no sexual experience. For data analysis descriptive statistics, the PearsonÆs x2 and a logistic regression analysis were used. Results: The PearsonÆs x2 showed significant differences in both behaviors: those who have the opportunity to involve in a sexual relationship and they avoid it (x2 [2]=45.378; p=0.000), as well as those who have condom use intention (x2 [2]=235.622; p=0.000). The logistic regression analysis revealed that one type of motivation predicted the behavior to avoid a sexual relationship with penetration (x2 [9]=33.805; p=0.000), if well another type of motivation predicted the behavior condom use intention (x2 [8]=18.069; p=0.021). Conclusions: The role of the variable motivation in the prevention of HIV infection programs is discussed.