The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67610

Dilys Walker, MD¹, Pilar Torres², Juan Pablo Gutierrez Reyes, MPH², and Stefano Bertozzi, MD, PhD². (1) Centro de Investigación de Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, Avenida Universidad 655, Cuernavaca, Mexico, 52 777 311 3783, dwalker@correo.insp.mx, (2) Division of Health Economics and Policy, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, Avenida Universidad 655, Cuernavaca, Mexico

Objective: To measure the impact of a high school based HIV education intervention that combines condom promotion with emergency contraception (EC) education. Methods: 40 high schools participated in this prospective randomized controlled evaluation. Fifteen received a 32hr, 16 week curriculum in sexuality and HIV prevention; 15 the same, plus 2 hours of EC education; 10 were controls. We applied 11,192 baseline questionnaires on knowledge, intention to use EC, sexual behavior and use of condom at last intercourse. Six months later we reapplied 9,399 questionnaires. Results: At baseline, 37% of all groups knew of EC and 48% would consider using it if necessary (no significant differences among groups). At follow-up, the probability of correctly identifying EC increased significantly in both intervention groups (OR 2.70, 95%CI 2.37-3.08 for condom group; OR 4.65, 95%CI 4.05-5.32 for EC group). The odds of considering using EC also increased significantly in both groups (OR 1.66, 95%CI 1.5-1.9, OR 4.2, 95%CI 3.7-4.8, respectively). The probability of using a condom at last intercourse increased significantly in both intervention groups, (OR 1.32 CI 1.02-1.70, OR 1.4 CI 1.12-1.74, respectively). The probability of using a condom at first intercourse also increased in both groups (OR1.24 95%CI 1.00-55, OR 1.40 95%CI 1.16-1.71, respectively). Conclusions: Adding EC education to a more traditional HIV prevention curriculum does not increase risk behavior and, if these trends continue, may in fact increase condom use at first sex, at last sex, and increase intention to use EC if necessary – reducing both HIV transmission and unplanned pregnancy.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the relationship between an HIV education curriculum aimed at adolescents and Emergency Contraception.
• Evaluate the incidence of condom use in first year Mexican high school students before and after a sexuality and / HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum.
• Recognize the need for innovative HIV/AIDS prevention efforts for adolescents that consider the value of EC education and promotion.

Keywords: Adolescents, International, HIV Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.