Psychological and socio-demographic variables associated with sexual risk behavior for sexually transmitted infections/HIV

Publication date: May 2014 Source:International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, Volume 14, Issue 2 Author(s): Ludgleydson Fernandes de Araújo , Inmaculada Teva , María de la Paz Bermúdez New diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are rising in the adult population. The main objective of this study was to analyze whether knowledge of STIs/HIV, worry about STIs/HIV and pregnancy, and self-efficacy to refuse sex are predictors of sexual risk behaviors among Spanish young and adults. The study sample was composed of 1,106 young and adults of both sexes aged between 17 and 55 years. Results showed that being single, homosexual, having been tested for HIV, having previously contracted an STI, having a college education and earning a monthly income of €900 or more were the characteristics associated with higher scores in knowledge of STIs/HIV. Self-efficacy to refuse sex predicted most vaginal and anal sexual behaviors (i.e., age at vaginal and anal sex initiation and the number of couples that have remained vaginal sex). We also found that participants with greater knowledge of STIs/HIV reported older age at vaginal sex initiation and higher condom use in the first vaginal sexual contact. We consider that these findings can be useful for the development of STI/HIV prevention programs. La población adulta es un grupo ascendente en los nuevos diagnósticos de las infec de transmisión sexual (ITS) y el VIH. El objetivo principal es anali...
Source: International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research