Psychosocial correlates of condom use and their relationship with worry about STI and HIV in native and immigrant adolescents in Spain.

The goal of this study was to analyze how worry about sexually-transmitted infections (STI) and HIV influences attitudes and self-efficacy towards condom use, HIV-related knowledge, HIV-perceived susceptibility and HIV-misconceptions in a multicultural sample in Spain. The sample was composed of 3,051 adolescents aged between 14 and 19 years old who lived in Spain. Of these, 67.7% were native Spaniards and the remaining 32.3% were Latin American immigrants. Results showed that worry about STI and HIV has a direct influence on condom use self-efficacy and HIV-knowledge and HIV-perceived susceptibility. Native Spanish adolescents showed higher positive attitudes towards condom use, greater HIV-knowledge and HIV-perceived susceptibility, and lower negative attitudes towards condoms use and HIV-misconceptions than Latin American adolescents. In the discussion, the importance of worry about STI and HIV is highlighted as a mediator variable that can predict risky sexual behavior and is related to cultural origin.

[Ranking of 2009 in research in Spanish public universities]. / Ranking de 2009 en investigación de las universidades públicas españolas.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the development of quality rankings of universities, both nationally and internationally. The lack of clarity in the collection and presentation of information means that many of these classifications are difficult to understand and interpret, so that it is necessary to establish a series of considerations about the name of ranking, selection criteria, the weight indicators, the type and choice of institutions that are evaluated, the size of the institutions, information sources, the one-dimensionality/multi-dimensionality of the rankings, frequency and quality criteria. In addition to providing this information, the aim of this study is to update and improve the research ranking of Spanish public universities of 2009. The same methodology as in the ranking of 2008 is followed, adding a new criterion, which refers to the patents registered and operated, and also enhances the rate of research sections. Results allow the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each Spanish public university in the area of research.

[Sociodemographic variables and risk behaviours for HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents: Spain, 2007]. / Variables sociodemográficas y conductas de riesgo en la infección por el VIH y las enfermedades de transmisión sexual en adolescentes: España, 2007.

BACKGROUND: The development of HIV and STD prevention programs needs information about sexual behaviour. The aim of this study is to analyze whether there were differences in HIV/STD risk behaviours according to type of high school (public/private), gender and age in adolescents. METHODS: A representative sample of 4.456 adolescents participated. To select the participants, a stratified random sampling considering Spanish regions and type of high school was used. It is a cross-sectional survey study. RESULTS: The percentage of adolescents that did not use condoms at first sexual intercourse was higher in private than in public high schools (chi(2) (1)=5,06; p=0,02). Adolescents who were between 17 and 18 years old had the highest percentage of non condom use at last sexual intercourse (chi(2) (2)= 6,90; p=0,03). A higher percentage of males than females had a casual partner at last sexual intercourse (chi(2) (1)=127,79; p=0,00). A higher number of adolescents of private high schools than adolescents of public high schools had used drugs at last sexual intercourse (chi(2) (1)=5,72; p=0,02), as well as males compared to females (chi(2) (1)=36,37; p=0,00). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in HIV risk behaviours according to sociodemographic variables are shown. Therefore, taking into account sociodemographic factors in sexual education programs focused on adolescents seems to be necessary.

[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.

Analysis of sexual behavior in adolescents.

The aim of this study was to describe some characteristics of vaginal, anal and oral sexual behavior in Spanish adolescents. It was a cross-sectional descriptive population study conducted using a probabilistic sample survey. The sample was composed of 4,612 male and female adolescents, of whom 1,686 reported having penetrative sexual experience. Sample size was established with a 97% confidence level and a 3% estimation error. Data collection took place in secondary education schools. Mean age of vaginal sex initiation was 15 years. Compared to females, males reported an earlier age of anal and oral sex initiation and a larger number of vaginal and anal sexual partners. Males also reported a higher frequency of penetrative sexual relations under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. A higher percentage of females than males reported not using a condom in their first anal sexual experience. This study provides a current overview of the sexual behavior of adolescents that can be useful for the design of future programs aimed at preventing HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

[2011 ranking in production and research productivity in Spanish public universities]. / Ranking de 2011 en producción y productividad en investigación de las universidades públicas españolas.

The assessment and improvement of the quality of scientific research in the universities is one of the main goals of the European Space for Higher Education. Within this goal, increased interest in national and international rankings has been shown. The objective of this research is to update the scientific research productivity ranking of Spanish public universities and it is based on data corresponding to 2011. The methodology of this research is similar to those of past research, including not only the assessment of productivity, but the total production of each university. Seven indicators were assessed: articles in JCR-indexed journals, scientific research periods, I+D projects, doctoral dissertations, FPU scholarships, doctoral programs towards Excellence Mention, and patents. Results show a notable difference between universities with a higher production (University of Barcelona, Complutense University of Madrid, and University of Granada) and those that are the most productive (Pompeu Fabra, Pablo de Olavide, and Rovira i Virgili). The results obtained are analyzed in the discussion with special focus on the evolution of research in Spanish public universities in the past four years. Some challenges for the future are also discussed.

Relationship power in the couple and sexual double standard as predictors of the risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV: multicultural and gender differences.

The goal of this work is to determine whether relationship power in couples and sexual double standard can predict the risk of sexually transmitted infections/human immunodeficiency virus (STI/HIV) as a function of cultural and gender differences. The sample was made up of 689 adolescents living in Spain, of both sexes, aged between 14 and 19 years, who were sexually active in the past six months and who had a stable partner. Of them, 58.9% were native Spaniards and 41.1% were immigrants of Latin American origin. The results show that origin, age, double standard and the control over decision-making in the couple can predict the risk of STI/HIV; thus, the immigrants, the older participants, those who scored higher in double standard, and those with less control over decision-making were at higher risk of STI/HIV. With regard to gender, the males displayed more double standard and more control over decision-making, and the females displayed higher control over the relationship. The need to adapt STI/HIV prevention programs to the cultural and gender inequality differences in the couple is commented on in the discussion.