Adolescents' Knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Infectionsin Three Public Schools in EsmeraldasMemi V. Angulo Alegría yMercy J. Falcones BenalcázarPontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador,Sede Esmeraldas.La correspondencia de este artículo debe ser d

Abstract

A quantitative-qualitative, descriptive and observational cross-sectional study was conducted in order to determine the knowledge that teens have in three public schools of Esmeraldas(2 from urban area and 1 from the rural one) about sexually transmitted infections (STI). As techniques a survey was applied to the students of these schools selected randomly, entering classes under the supervision of a teacher and the evaluator; the questionnaire was comprised by 10 structured questions , taken from a survey conducted by UNICEF, (2006), about the knowledge, attitudes and practices about sexual health and HIV/AIDS in children and adolescents in Dajabón and Wanament in the Dominican Republic, which was carried out modifying  2 questions. It was also used an observation guide with aspects as security guide responding, independence and behavior, demonstrated by completing the survey, during the months of April to September 2016. The sample was probabilistic with 196 students from first year of secondary education, ages from 15 to 17, from which the 52% corresponded to women and 48% to men. The 96% knew about (STIs) sexually transmitted infections, and only 19% didn´t know how people get one of these infections. The 75% have already had sexual intercourse and only the 8% used condoms. The study allowed to know the assessment of adolescents about STIs, the forms of transmission and the non-application of preventive measures such as the use of condoms; in order to link the inter-agency working between the University, educational institutions, and health district.