Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025
13:55
Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates
Published on: January 27, 2019
15.1K
Adolescents' Knowledge and Misconceptions About Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study in Middle
Catarina Abreu1, Luísa Sá1, Paulo Santos1
1Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS@RISE), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-393 Porto, Portugal.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 27, 2024
Summary
Adolescent knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and prevention is low in Portugal. Comprehensive sexual education is needed to address misconceptions and improve health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Sexual Health Education
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for developing sexual behaviors.
- Early initiation of sexual activity in Portuguese adolescents necessitates understanding their knowledge of STIs and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and prevention methods among adolescents in Portugal.
- To identify factors associated with sexual health knowledge in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study surveyed 750 ninth-grade students in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
- Questionnaires assessed perceptions of sexuality, knowledge of STIs, prevention methods, and information sources.
Main Results:
- The average knowledge score regarding STIs was 7.08 out of 18.
- While condoms and immunizations were recognized, significant misconceptions about STIs and prevention persist.
- Higher knowledge levels correlated with more positive attitudes towards sexual intercourse.
Conclusions:
- Portuguese adolescents demonstrate limited understanding of STIs and rely on unreliable sources like peers and the internet.
- There is a clear need for enhanced, comprehensive sexual education programs in middle schools to improve adolescent sexual health literacy.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
279
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
279
01:20Infection
7.7K
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
7.7K
01:50Cross-Sectional Research
11.2K
In cross-sectional research, a researcher compares multiple segments of the population at the same time. If they were interested in people's dietary habits, the researcher might directly compare different groups of people by age. Instead of following a group of people for 20 years to see how their dietary habits changed from decade to decade, the researcher would study a group of 20-year-old individuals and compare them to a group of 30-year-old individuals and a group of 40-year-old...
11.2K
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
2.5K
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
2.5K
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
11.4K
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
11.4K
02:04Bullying
8.4K
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is...
8.4K