[Risk behaviors related with infection by human immunodeficiency virus among adolescent students in Catalonia]

To determine the prevalence of HIV-risk behaviours among high-school adolescents, and the association with HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and risk perception.

In 1992-93 a questionnaire was administered to the students of a convenience sample of 30 classes, previously to an AIDS education intervention.

1,213 questionnaires corresponding to 12 to 21 years-old respondents were analyzed. The mean age of the sample was 16 years and 61.6% were females. The use of drugs inhibiting the capacity to avoid risk situations was frequent (alcohol: 61.7% and hashish: 11.6%). 18.5% of the respondents were sexually active, of whom 18.1% reported at least one unknown sexual partner during the former year. 3.7% and 9.8% of the sexually active males reported a sexual intercourse with a male or with a prostitute, respectively. Condoms were consistently used by 51.3% of the sexually active students. Knowledge and risk perception were not related to risk behaviours, whereas less positive attitudes towards AIDS information and the HIV-infected were associated with having had intercourse with a high risk partner, and a positive attitude towards condoms was related to consistent use.

Nearly 20% of school teenagers are sexually active and only half of these always use condoms. This places heterosexual activity as the main potential route for HIV-transmission in this group.