AEGiS-07IAC: Sociological model for adolescents HIV prevention.

7th International AIDS Conference


Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

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Sociological model for adolescents HIV prevention.

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:453 (abstract no. W.D.4262)
Orsi MG, Groppi C, Santi M; Health Service for Drug Addicts Florence (Italy) - National Secretariat Association of Drug Addicts Public Services

OBJECTIVE: To propose a sociological strategic model based on opinion leaders promotion among specific groups of adolescents' population.

METHODS: According to the epidemiological European infection pattern showing an increase of HIV infection rate among young female population, we analyzed the psycho-social aspects that to date have limited the change of behaviour in adolescent people that generally consider themselves "not at risk". A questionnaire been administered to specific groups of adolescents' population: high school students, outpatients from obstetric division, nurse students, family planning services.

RESULTS: The mass-media information concerning epidemiological data showed that infection is spread among so defined "high risk groups" and has reinforced the false believer of being "free of risk" among a great part of adolescents' population. The answers to the questionnaire showed that is important to investigate their psychological resistances to improve their awareness of personal responsibility in sexual contact. We need to obtain a relational approach to transform information in real prevention. We used a collaborative method in which teachers, medical and social workers promote opinion leaders among small self-selecting adolescent groups.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The strategy we proposed seems able to make young people protagonist of prevention, instead of passive object.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Students, Questionnaires, Family Planning, Adolescence, Female, prevention & control, ICA7KWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,students,questionnaires,familyplanning,adolescence,female,prevention&control,ica7
910616
WD4262

Copyright © 1991 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.