Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among urban adolescents: cultural consensus of doubts and uncertainties
Caballero-Hoyos, R.; Villaseñor-Sierra, A.
Salud Publica de Mexico 45(Suppl): S108-S114
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-3634 PMID: 12602153 Document Number: 557152
Objective: To describe the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among adolescents from different socioeconomic strata (SS), using cultural consensus analysis. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study was conducted from July 1995 to March 1996, among 758 adolescents from Guadalajara, Mexico. Data were collected using a questionnaire, and analyzed by means of: a) consensus by SS and gender using factorial analysis; and b) identification of the cultural pattern of correct answers, and concordance of individual/group answers using Pearson's r correlation coefficients. Results: There was a high degree of consensus across SS. The individual/group knowledge concordance was greater in higher SS. The pattern of correct responses showed: a) similar knowledge on casual transmission, AIDS characteristics, and higher risk in sex workers; and b) discrepancies regarding doubts and uncertainties about condom protection, distinction between HIV and AIDS, and HIV transmission in health clinics. Conclusions: Knowledge was homogeneous and mainly medically oriented across all SS. Nevertheless, there were elements of doubt and uncertainty that require differentiated informative interventions.