Análisis del conocimiento sobre salud sexual y reproductiva en adolescentes / Analysis of sexual and reproductive health knowledge among adolescents

RESUMEN

Resumen Objetivo: El estudio cuenta con dos objetivos: 1) Identificar la relación entre los conocimientos sobre salud sexual y reproductiva, y dos factores personales (i.e., sexo y edad) en adolescentes escolarizados. 2) Establecer un modelo de predicción para estimar el conocimiento sobre salud sexual y reproductiva en adolescentes escolarizados que no han iniciado vida sexual coital; para ello se tendrán en cuenta el sexo y la edad de los participantes. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo correlacional realizado con 385 estudiantes de 12 a 19 años de Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. Se empleó una cédula de datos personales y la Escala de Conocimientos, Actitudes y Prácticas en Salud Sexual y Reproductiva, donde solo se consideró la categoría de "Conocimientos"41 con las dimensiones Salud Sexual y Reproductiva. Se efectuó estadística descriptiva, pruebas de Chi cuadrado (χ²), correlaciones de Pearson y regresión lineal múltiple, con un intervalo de confianza del 95%. Resultados: Se encontró una relación entre el sexo y la salud sexual (χ² = 74.57, p = .022), y entre la edad y los conocimientos generales (r = .382, p < .001). En el modelo de predicción, la edad mostró ser predictor para la salud sexual (β = .571, p < .001) y reproductiva (β = .602, p < .001); sin embargo, los R cuadrados obtenidos indican que es imprescindible indagar otros predictores multinivel, como plantea el Modelo Ecológico, dado que explican menos del 70% de la varianza. Conclusiones: Es posible deducir que no se puede predecir el conocimiento sobre salud sexual y reproductiva a partir de la edad y el sexo. Muchos de los participantes carecieron de conocimientos esenciales para diferenciar entre una conducta sexual segura y una de riesgo. Por ello, es relevante implementar acciones formativas para garantizar una educación sexual integral, en consonancia con diferentes recomendaciones nacionales e internacionales.

ABSTRACT

Abstract Objective: The present study has two objectives: 1) Identify the relationship between knowledge about sexual health and reproductive health, and two personal factors (i.e. sex and age) of enrolled adolescents in school. 2) Establish a prediction model to estimate knowledge about sexual and reproductive health of enrolled adolescents who have not initiated a sexual coital life; for this purpose, the sex and age of the participants in the study will be taken into account. Materials and Methods: This is a correlational descriptive study conducted with 385 students from 12 to 19 years old from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. The applied instrument evaluated some personal data; The Scale of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Sexual and Reproductive Health was also used here only the category "Knowledge"41 was considered, specifically its dimensions about Sexual Health and Reproductive Health. Descriptive statistics, Chi square tests (χ²), Pearson's correlations and multiple linear regression were performed, with a 95% confidence interval. Results: A relation was found between sex and knowledge about sexual health (χ² = 74.57, p = .022), as well as between age and general knowledge (r = .382, p < .001). Regarding the prediction models of this study, age was shown to be a predictor for both sexual health (β = .571, p < .001) and reproductive health (β = .602, p < .001); however, the R squares obtained with the prediction models indicate that it is essential to take into account other multilevel predictors, as proposed by the Ecological Model, given that such models explain less than 70% of the variance in this study. Conclusions: It is possible to conclude that knowledge about sexual health and reproductive health cannot be predicted based on age and sex alone. The results also show that many participants seem to lack essential knowledge to differentiate between safe and risky sexual behavior. Therefore, it is critical to implement educative actions to guarantee comprehensive sexual education, in line with different national and international recommendations.