KNOWLEDGE OF HIV TRANSMISSION ROUTES AMONG ADOLESCENT SCHOOLCHILDREN IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF MONTERREY, MEXICO.

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Abstract

Objective: The study has two objectives: to analyze by sex and age the level of knowledge about HIV transmission routes in school adolescents and to identify the relationship between age and sex with knowledge about HIV transmission routes in school adolescents. Material and Method: Descriptive-correlational study conducted between August and November 2022 with 487 students aged 12 to 19 years in Monterrey, state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Single-stage cluster sampling was used. Data were collected using an anonymous personal data questionnaire and the HIV-AIDS/STI dimension of the Sexual and
Reproductive Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Scale was used, which contains 51 items, eight of which were selected to be HIV-related. In a pilot test, the scale showed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.79. The variables included were sex, age and level of knowledge about HIV transmission routes. Chi-square test and Pearson's test were used for the analysis, with a significant level of 0.05. Results: Statistical differences were found by sex (x²= 52.91, p= 0.016) and age (r = 0.402, p= 0.001), with younger females having the least
knowledge about HIV transmission routes. Most participants recognized only sexual transmission of HIV. Conclusions: Being female and younger age are related to low knowledge of the different routes of HIV transmission.