[Sexual behaviour and human immunodeficiency virus testing in university students from Cuzco (Peru)]. / Conducta sexual y realización de la prueba del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en jóvenes que estudian en la universidad en Cuzco (Perú).

OBJECTIVE: To analyse sexual behaviour, HIV testing, HIV testing intentions and reasons for not testing for HIV in university students from Cuzco (Peru). METHODS: The sample comprised 1,377 university students from several institutions from Cuzco (Peru). The size of the sample was set according to a maximum 3% error estimation and a 97% confidence interval. Ages ranged from 16 to 30 years old. The data were collected through a self-administered, anonymous and voluntary questionnaire regarding sexual behaviour and HIV testing. The data were collected in classrooms during teaching hours. RESULTS: A higher percentage of males than females reported having had vaginal, anal and oral sex, a higher number of sexual partners and an earlier age at first vaginal and oral sex. A higher percentage of females than males did not use condoms when they first had anal sex and had a higher anal sex-risk index. Most of the participants had never been HIV tested. The main reason was that they were sure that they were not HIV infected. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that there was a low HIV risk perception in these participants despite the fact that they had been involved in sexual risk behaviours. Prevention campaigns focused on the general population as well as the at-risk populations and young people are needed.

Conducta sexual y realización de la prueba del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en jóvenes que estudian en la universidad en Cuzco (Perú) / Sexual behaviour and human immunodeficiency virus testing in university students from Cuzco (Peru)

Objetivo: El objetivo era analizar la conducta sexual, la realización de la prueba del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), las intenciones para hacérsela y los motivos para no realizársela en jóvenes estudiantes en la universidad en Cuzco (Perú). Métodos: Participaron 1377 estudiantes universitarios/as de diversas instituciones de educación superior de Cuzco (Perú). El rango de edad era de 16 a 30 años. Se aplicó un cuestionario sobre conducta sexual y realización de la prueba del VIH. El tamaño de la muestra se estableció considerando un nivel de confianza del 97% y un error de estimación del 3%. El cuestionario se cumplimentó en las aulas durante las horas lectivas. Resultados: Un mayor porcentaje de varones que de mujeres ha tenido sexo vaginal, anal y oral, un mayor número de parejas sexuales y un inicio a una edad más temprana en el sexo vaginal y oral. Un mayor porcentaje de mujeres que de varones no utilizó el preservativo en la primera relación sexual anal y tenía un mayor índice de riesgo anal. La mayoría de los/las jóvenes no se había realizado nunca la prueba del VIH. El principal motivo para no hacérsela era la seguridad de no estar infectados/as. Conclusiones: Parece existir una baja percepción de riesgo frente al VIH en los/las jóvenes a pesar de implicarse en conductas sexuales de riesgo. Es necesaria la realización de campañas de prevención dirigidas tanto a la población general como a las poblaciones clave, y considerar especialmente a la juventud

Objective: To analyse sexual behaviour, HIV testing, HIV testing intentions and reasons for not testing for HIV in university students from Cuzco (Peru). Methods: The sample comprised 1,377 university students from several institutions from Cuzco (Peru). The size of the sample was set according to a maximum 3% error estimation and a 97% confidence interval. Ages ranged from 16 to 30 years old. The data were collected through a self-administered, anonymous and voluntary questionnaire regarding sexual behaviour and HIV testing. The data were collected in classrooms during teaching hours. Results: A higher percentage of males than females reported having had vaginal, anal and oral sex, a higher number of sexual partners and an earlier age at first vaginal and oral sex. A higher percentage of females than males did not use condoms when they first had anal sex and had a higher anal sex-risk index. Most of the participants had never been HIV tested. The main reason was that they were sure that they were not HIV infected. Conclusions: It seems that there was a low HIV risk perception in these participants despite the fact that they had been involved in sexual risk behaviours. Prevention campaigns focused on the general population as well as the at-risk populations and young people are needed

Situación epidemiológica actual del VIH/SIDA en Latinoamérica en la primera década del siglo XXI: Análisis de las diferencias entre países / Current epidemiological situation of HIV/AIDS in Latin America: Analysis of differences among countries

Background: There is a great regional heterogeneity in the prevalence of HIV/ AIDS. Aim: To analyze the current situation of HIV/AIDS in Latin America by means of a comparative analysis among countries. Material and Methods: In a descriptive study (document analysis), epidemiological data about HIV/AIDS in Latin America as well as population data were used. Prevalence indexes and the distribution of HIV/AIDS cases were compared according to gender, age and transmission mode. Results: Dominican Republic, Panama, El Salvador and Honduras are the countries with the highest prevalence indexes. Colombia is in the first position in percentage of young men with HIV/AIDS and it is in the second position in percentage of children. Costa Rica is the second country for percentage of young men and male adults infected with HIV/AIDS. Paraguay is in the second place for children with HIV/AIDS and it is the third country in young men living with HIV/AIDS. Dominican Republic is in the first position in the percentage of young and adult females living with HIV/AIDS. The main transmission mode in all Latin American countries is sexual intercourse (heterosexual and homo/bisexual). Conclusions: Latin America is a heterogeneous region in HIV/AIDS which should be considered in the development and establishment of prevention strategies.