Abstract

CARRATALA, Elena; ESPADA, José Pedro  and  ORGILES, Mireia. Knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS: differences between Spanish adolescents with married or divorced parents. Salud Ment [online]. 2013, vol.36, n.5, pp.387-391. ISSN 0185-3325.

Objective This study is the first to examine whether the level of knowledge and the attitudes that a Spanish-speaking sample of adolescents have towards HIV/AIDS, both variables traditionally associated with risky practices, differs in function of having married or divorced parents, in order to determine whether the family situation should be included in the prevention programs. Materials and Method An observational cross-sectional study was carried out in fifteen secondary schools from five Spanish counties. Participants were 342 adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years, 50% with divorced parents. Participants completed the HIV/AIDS Knowledge Scale on Spanish Adolescents and the Scale of Attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Results Adolescents with divorced parents reported more favorable attitudes towards HIV/AIDS (p<.01; d=0.32), condom use (p<.05; d=0.24), conducting HIV tests (p<.05; d=0.28), and people living with HIV (p<.001; 0.32). Conclusions The results suggest that divorced parents could transmit to their children favorable attitudes towards AIDS and prevention methods. Including sessions with parents in the prevention programs is highlighted, aiming to encourage parents to transmit their adolescent children positive attitudes to prevent AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Keywords : HIV; AIDS; adolescents; family structure.

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