Health literacy and knowledge of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among adolescents

Inadequate knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) places adolescents at increased risk for infection. Health literacy is an important strategy for reducing this risk.

To determine the association between health literacy and knowledge of HIV and other STIs among adolescents.

This analytical cross-sectional study included 204 adolescents from public schools. The Health Literacy Questionnaire and the HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections Knowledge Scale were used. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed using the chi-square test and Poisson regression with robust variance.

A total of 51.47% adolescents had inadequate knowledge, and 63.24% had inadequate health literacy. A significant association was found between the two variables (chi-square test, p = 0.009, 95% confidence interval [CI]). The crude prevalence ratio (cPR) was 1.44 (95% CI: 1.119-1.874), and the adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) was 1.45 (95% CI: 1.123-1.880), adjusted for age, sex, and school grade level.

Health literacy equips individuals with the skills to access, understand, and use health information, improving knowledge for informed decision-making and the adoption of protective behaviors against HIV and STIs.

Adolescents with adequate health literacy are more likely to have adequate knowledge of HIV and STIs. It is necessary to incorporate health literacy into health plans and promote information and education programs and interventions on these infections and comprehensive sexual health within and outside schools, using a multisectoral approach.