Personality characteristics in specialist and generalist intimate partner violence perpetrators.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the most common types of violence against women. Although personality disorders have been associated with IPV, perpetration research regarding personality according to the classification specialist/generalist IPV perpetrators is scarce. The general aim of this study was to describe personality in a large sample of IPV Spanish male perpetrators considering their classification (specialist vs. generalist). Participants were 1093 men convicted of IPV crimes whose ages ranged from 18 to 76 years old (M = 40.15; SD = 10.32). Of them, 554 men were classified as specialist perpetrators and 539 men were classified as generalist perpetrators. Participants completed questionnaires regarding sociodemographic and violence aspects as well as the Spanish version of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory III. Generalist perpetrators showed higher means in nearly all the personality disorders scales compared to specialist perpetrators. Prevalence rates in the majority of personality disorders were lower than 5%. Higher scores on the avoidant, histrionic, and self-defeating scales and lower scores on the aggressive, borderline, and drug dependence scales were related to being a specialist perpetrator. This study contributes to a better understanding of personality among generalist and specialist perpetrators.

Analysis of cognitive variables and sexual risk behaviors among infected and HIV-uninfected people from Spain.

The wider availability of anti-retroviral treatment has brought about an improvement in the immunological situation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals, which in turn has led to significant reductions in AIDS-related morbidity and mortality and better quality of life for patients. However, the rate of diagnosis of new cases of HIV among the adult population is on the increase due to high-risk sexual behavior practices, particularly not using condoms, sexual relations with a large number of partners and starting sexual relations at a younger age, with unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. For this reason, public health managers have invested considerable effort in recent years in creating STI and HIV prevention programs. Yet, in spite of the implementation of measures for reducing the rates of infection, few studies have been published in Spain comparing individuals living with HIV with the general population about cognitive variables and the link between these variables and high-risk sexual behavior. The objective was to compare a group of individuals living with HIV with another group from the general population in terms of cognitive variables (knowledge about STIs and HIV, concern about STI/HIV and pregnancy, self-efficacy to refuse sexual relations and resilience) and sexual behavior. The sample consisted of 318 adults, 159 were from the general population and 159 were individuals living with HIV. Individuals living with HIV had higher scores for concern about HIV/AIDS, STIs, pregnancy and knowledge of STI/HIV compared with the general population. We concluded that uninfected people who had low and high level of concern about HIV/AIDS began having anal sex at a younger age than those with a medium level of concern. Overall, results indicate that the concern about HIV/AIDS should be addressed in preventive health interventions to minimize the risks of sexual behavior.

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

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.

Characteristics of Childhood Family Violence Experiences in Spanish Batterers.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) constitutes a major public health problem worldwide. The existing links between childhood family violence experiences and perpetration of IPV during adulthood suggest that violence is transmitted across generations. The aims of this study were to provide new insights into characteristics of the history of childhood family violence in a sample of Spanish convicted male batterers and to examine what typology of batterer (specialist or generalist) is more likely to have had different types of childhood experiences of violence in the family context. Participants were 740 men convicted of IPV whose ages ranged from 18 to 71 years old (M = 39.74; SD = 10.01). Of them, 305 men were classified as specialist batterers, and 391 men were classified as generalist batterers. Participants completed a questionnaire made ad hoc regarding family of origin violence and sociodemographic aspects. Results showed that, in comparison with generalist batterers, specialist batterers had higher likelihood of having experienced child abuse or maltreatment during their childhood, having experienced physical punishment and child neglect, having their father as the aggressor of such experienced situations of abuse, or maltreatment. Likewise, specialist batterers had higher likelihood of having been witnesses of family violence, having witnessed physical and psychological violence in the family, having witnessed their mother and siblings being the victims and their father being the aggressor when family violence occurred. This study emphasized the need for identifying children exposed to direct and indirect family violence because they could be a vulnerable group for future IPV perpetration. Moreover, variables related to childhood family violence must be considered when developing intervention treatment programs focused on male specialist batterers.

[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.

[Influence of sociodemographic variables on coping styles, social stress, and sexual sensation seeking in adolescents]. / Influencia de variables sociodemográficas sobre los estilos de afrontamiento, el estrés social y la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales en adolescentes.

The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of gender, age, and type of high school (public/private) on coping styles solve the problem coping style, reference to others coping style and non-productive coping, social stress, and sexual sensation seeking in adolescents. A total of 4.456 adolescents participated. The following measures were used: Adolescent Coping Scale, Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale, and the Social Stress subscale of the Behavior Assessment System for Children. This is a cross-sectional study that used a stratified random sampling considering Spanish regions and type of high school (public/private) to select participants. The sample is representative of the national level at a 95.5% confidence interval. Results showed that males had higher scores in sexual sensation seeking and social stress compared to females. Female adolescents scored higher in reference to others coping style and non-productive coping. Compared to adolescents of public high schools, adolescents who attended to private high schools scored higher in solve the problem coping style and reference to others coping style. Associations among sexual sensation seeking, coping styles, social stress, and health risk behaviors in adolescents are discussed.

Characteristics of sexual behavior in Spanish adolescents.

The aim of this study is to describe some characteristics of the sexual behavior of adolescents in Spain and to compare these characteristics according to gender, using a cross-sectional survey. Participants were 1.279 male and female adolescents who reported having had sexual intercourse. A questionnaire about sexual behavior was applied at their high schools and during school hours. Data were collected between 2006 and 2007. Mean age at the onset of sexual intercourse was 14.8 years in males and 15.0 years in females. Males and females were different according to the type of partner at the last sexual intercourse: 63.0% of males had a steady partner compared to 90.5% of females (p < 0.01). The mean number of sexual partners during the last 12 months was higher in males than in females (M = 2.1 and M = 1.5 partners, for males and females, respectively, p < 0.01). 50.0% of males had sexual intercourse under the effects of drugs versus 39.3% of females (p < 0.01). STD and HIV prevention programs should be designed considering the differences according to adolescents' sex.

Knowledge and Concern about STIs/HIV and Sociodemographic Variables Associated with Getting Tested for HIV Among the General Population in Spain.

HIV testing is important in terms of prevention and treatment. However, HIV testing rates in the Spanish general population remains low. Therefore, HIV testing promotion constitutes a key issue. A high level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS is associated with having been tested for HIV. The general aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of people who had ever been tested for HIV in Spain. The sample consisted of 1,106 participants from the general population - 60.0% females and 40.0% males - aged between 17 and 55 years old. The assessment instruments were a questionnaire on sociodemographic data and HIV testing, a scale of knowledge about STIs and HIV/AIDS, and a scale of concern about STIs/HIV. Results showed that greater knowledge about STIs and HIV was associated with a greater likelihood of being tested for HIV (OR = .77; 95.0% CI = .73-.82; p < .05). In addition, higher concern about HIV/AIDS decreased the likelihood of not having been tested for HIV (OR = .87; 95.0% CI = .83-.92; p < .05). In fact, the higher participants concern about STIs was, the lower their likelihood of not having been tested for HIV was (OR = .87; 95.0% CI = .83-.91; p < .05). It is necessary to promote HIV testing in the general population as well as to consider their socio-demographic and psychological characteristics.

[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.

Sexual sensation-seeking and worry about sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among Spanish adolescents.

The target of this study is to assess the relationship between sexual sensation-seeking, worry about STD/HIV infection, and risky sexual behaviours among 182 adolescents aged 13-18 years. Results showed that participants who engaged in a wider range of potentially risky behaviours (e.g., sexual experience, higher number of sexual partners in last six months, and the last sexual contact with a casual partner) obtained higher sensation-seeking scores. It was also found that adolescents who engaged in sex with a casual partner in their last sexual contact reported being worried about STD/HIV infection, but adolescents having sex with a steady partner underestimated their risk of STD/HIV infection. These results support the idea that preventive programmes may benefit from including components aimed at teaching adolescents to satisfy their preferences for sexual sensation-seeking through novel and stimulating sexual behaviours involving minimum risk. Similarly, the need to include components aimed at making adolescents become realistically aware of the STD/HIV risk involved in unprotected intercourse with steady love partners is highlighted.

Analysis of resilience and sexual behavior in persons with HIV infection.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate ex post facto resilience in persons with HIV infection and its relationship to socio-demographic and sexual behavior variables. Participants included 159 persons with HIV infection, of both sexes, aged between 19 and 55 years. Fifty-one percent of patients were infected through homosexual means. Sixty-seven percent were in the asymptomatic phase of infection. Assessment instruments used were the following: a questionnaire on socio-demographic data and sexual behavior and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. The evaluation was individual, voluntary, and anonymous. The results showed that 49.05% of patients had average resilience, 27.68% had high resilience, and 23.37% had low resilience. They found that heterosexual patients infected with HIV, diagnosed between 1985 and 1990 (23 and 28 years of diagnosis) and those who had disclosed their HIV status to more than 30 people, had greater resilience than homosexual patients, diagnosed between 1996 and 2000 (13 and 17 years of diagnosis) and those who had disclosed their HIV status to 1-5 people. Finally, resilience was not a predictor of sexual risk factor. It is suggested that health interventions take into account the resilience and psychological variables that may be beneficial to improve coping with the disease.

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).

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

Analysis of resilience and sexual behavior in persons with HIV infection

Abstract The main objective of this study was to evaluate ex post facto resilience in persons with HIV infection and its relationship to socio-demographic and sexual behavior variables. Participants included 159 persons with HIV infection, of both sexes, aged between 19 and 55 years. Fifty-one percent of patients were infected through homosexual means. Sixty-seven percent were in the asymptomatic phase of infection. Assessment instruments used were the following: a questionnaire on socio-demographic data and sexual behavior and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. The evaluation was individual, voluntary, and anonymous. The results showed that 49.05% of patients had average resilience, 27.68% had high resilience, and 23.37% had low resilience. They found that heterosexual patients infected with HIV, diagnosed between 1985 and 1990 (23 and 28 years of diagnosis) and those who had disclosed their HIV status to more than 30 people, had greater resilience than homosexual patients, diagnosed between 1996 and 2000 (13 and 17 years of diagnosis) and those who had disclosed their HIV status to 1-5 people. Finally, resilience was not a predictor of sexual risk factor. It is suggested that health interventions take into account the resilience and psychological variables that may be beneficial to improve coping with the disease.

Satisfacción sexual y actitudes hacia el uso del preservativo en adolescentes: evaluación y análisis de su relación con el uso del preservativo / Sexual satisfaction and attitudes towards the use of condoms in adolescents: Evaluation and analysis on their relationship with condom use

La satisfacción sexual y las actitudes positivas hacia el uso del preservativo favorecen el uso del mismo. El objetivo general de este estudio es la evaluación y análisis de la relación entre la satisfacción sexual, las actitudes hacia el uso del preservativo y el uso del preservativo en adolescentes. Los participantes son 1504 adolescentes españoles escolarizados de ambos sexos (48.40% varones, 51.60% mujeres). Se trata de un estudio descriptivo de poblaciones mediante encuestas con muestras probabilísticas, de tipo transversal. En varones, una mayor actitud positiva hacia el uso del preservativo predice una mayor probabilidad de uso del mismo en la primera relación sexual vaginal y anal. La satisfacción sexual de la pareja predice una mayor probabilidad de uso del preservativo en la primera relación sexual oral, y la satisfacción sexual sobre la sintonía de la pareja se asocia con una menor probabilidad de uso del preservativo en la primera relación sexual oral. En mujeres, una mayor satisfacción sexual personal predice una mayor probabilidad de no haber utilizado el preservativo en la primera relación sexual vaginal. Además, en las mujeres, una mayor satisfacción sexual sobre la sintonía de la pareja incrementa las probabilidades de haber utilizado el preservativo en el debut sexual vaginal. Los porcentajes de varianza explicada son bajos. Se recomienda que en futuros estudios se analicen factores socioculturales relacionados con los roles de género que pudieran estar influyendo en las asociaciones entre la satisfacción sexual, las actitudes hacia el uso del preservativo y el riesgo sexual en adolescentes.

Sexual satisfaction and positive attitudes toward condom use promote its use. The main aim of this paper is to assess and analyze the relationship between sexual satisfaction, attitudes toward condom use, and condom use amongst adolescents. The participants were 1504 Spanish school adolescents of both sexes (48.40% male, 51.60% female). A descriptive study was conducted using cross-sectional surveys with probabilistic samples. An increased positive attitude towards condom use in males predicts higher likelihood of condom use in the first vaginal and anal intercourse. Partner sexual satisfaction predicts an increased likelihood of condom use in the first oral sexual intercourse. In addition, sexual satisfaction related to harmony with the partner is associated with a lower likelihood of condom use in the first oral sexual relationship. In females, greater personal sexual satisfaction predicts higher likelihood of not having used a condom in the first vaginal intercourse. Furthermore, higher sexual satisfaction in females - related to harmony with the partner - increased the likelihood of having used a condom during the first vaginal intercourse. The percentages of explained variance are low. It is recommended that future studies analyze sociocultural factors related to gender roles that may be influencing the associations between sexual satisfaction, attitudes toward condom use, and sexual risk amongst adolescents.

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.

Type of sexual contact and precoital sexual experience in Spanish adolescents / Tipo de contacto sexual y experiencia sexual precoital en adolescentes españoles

El objetivo de este estudio era evaluar algunas características de las conductas sexuales precoitales y el tipo de contacto sexual en adolescentes españoles. Participó una muestra representativa de 4.456 estudiantes españoles de enseñanza secundaria obligatoria. Se administró un cuestionario sobre conducta sexual. Se trata de un estudio transversal descriptivo de poblaciones mediante encuestas con muestras probabilísticas. Los adolescentes fueron seleccionados mediante un muestreo aleatorio estratificado en función del tipo de centro educativo y de la comunidad autónoma. En comparación con las mujeres, los varones comenzaron las experiencias sexuales sin penetración a una edad más temprana, tenían un mayor número de parejas y un mayor porcentaje de varones manifestó tener parejas ocasionales. Este estudio no solo contribuye al conocimiento sobre la conducta sexual de los adolescentes antes del inicio de las relaciones sexuales con penetración sino que en él se destaca la importancia de desarrollar estrategias de prevención sexual en los adolescentes.

The aim of this study was to examine characterisctics of precoital sexual behaviors and types of sexual contact in adolescent. A representative sample of 4,456 Spanish high school students participated. These participants were selected by means of a stratified random sampling procedure. They completed a questionnaire about their sexual behaviour. It is a cross-sectional survey study. Differences according to age and gender in characteristics of sexual behaviour before the onset of sexual intercourse were found. Compared to females, males started non penetrative sexual experiences earlier, had a higher number of sexual partners and a higher percentage of males reported having had casual sexual partner. This study not only adds to knowledge about sexual behaviour before the initiation of sexual intercourse among adolescents, it also highlights the importance of developing sexual prevention strategies for young adolescents.

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

Fundamento: Conocer las conductas sexuales es primordial para el desarrollo de programas de prevención del VIH y las ETS. El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar si existen en adolescentes diferencias en conductas de riesgo para la infección por el VIH y las ETS de acuerdo al tipo de centro educativo (público/privado o concertado), el sexo y la edad. Métodos: Participaron 4.456 adolescentes. Se empleó un muestreo aleatorio estratificado con afijación proporcional siendo los estratos la comunidad autónoma y el tipo de centro educativo (público/privado o concertado). La muestra es representativa a nivel nacional con un nivel de confianza del 95,5%. Es un estudio descriptivo de poblaciones mediante encuestas con muestras probabilísticas de tipo transversal. Resultados: El porcentaje de adolescentes de centros privados que no utilizó el preservativo en la primera relación sexual era superior al de los adolescentes de centros públicos (X2 (1)=5,06; p=0,02). Los adolescentes de entre 17 y 18 años eran los que informaron en mayor porcentaje que no utilizaron el preservativo en la última relación sexual (X2 (2)= 6,90; p=0,03). Un mayor porcentaje de varones que de mujeres tuvo una pareja ocasional en la última relación sexual (X2 (1)=127,79; p=0,00). Los adolescentes de centros privados informaron en mayor porcentaje que los adolescentes de centros públicos sobre el consumo de drogas en la última relación sexual (X2 (1)=5,72; p=0,02) así como los varones en comparación con las mujeres (X2 (1)=36,37; p=0,00). Conclusiones: Se muestran diferencias en conductas de riesgo para la infección por el VIH en función de variables sociodemográficas que hacen reflexionar sobre la necesidad de considerar estos aspectos en los programas de educación sexual dirigidos a adolescentes (AU)

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 (X2 (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 (X2 (2)= 6,90; p=0,03). A higher percentage of males than females had a casual partner at last sexual intercourse (X2 (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 (X2 (1)=5,72; p=0,02), as well as males compared to females (X2 (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 (AU)

Búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales, estilos de afrontamiento, estrés social y su relación con la conducta sexual adolescente / Sexual sensation seeking, coping styles, social stress and their association with adolescent sexual behaviour

El objetivo del presente estudio es realizar una revisión teórica entre los años 1998 y 2007 sobre la influencia de los estilos de afrontamiento, el estrés social y la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales sobre las conductas sexuales de riesgo en adolescentes e informar sobre la prevalencia de las conductas sexuales en los adolescentes. Se trata de un estudio teórico. La búsqueda de artículos se realizó a través de bases de datos electrónicas y mediante una búsqueda manual en revistas especializadas. Se localizaron siete artículos en los que se analizó la relación entre la conducta sexual adolescente, la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales y el afrontamiento. Los estudios publicados sobre la relación entre la conducta sexual adolescente y los estilos de afrontamiento, el estrés social y la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales son escasos. Se hace énfasis en la investigación de dichas asociaciones en el futuro y en la realización de estudios longitudinales. En los 44 estudios sobre prevalencia de conducta sexual se recogía principalmente información sobre la edad de inicio de las relaciones sexuales coitales, el porcentaje de adolescentes con experiencia sexual coital, las prácticas sexuales, el número de parejas sexuales y el uso del preservativo y otros métodos anticonceptivos. El mayor número de artículos se han publicado en Estados Unidos predominando el diseño transversal (AU)

The aim of this study is to make a theoretical review of the period of years from 1998 to 2007 about the influence of coping styles, social stress and sexual sensation seeking on sexual risk behaviours in adolescents and to report about prevalence of sexual behaviours in adolescents. It is a theoretical study. Literature search was made using electronic data bases and a manual search in specialized journals. In seven articles, associations among sexual behaviour, sexual sensation seeking and coping were found. Studies published about associations among adolescent sexual behaviour and coping, social stress and sexual sensation seeking are scarce. It is emphasized future research about these associations and to carry out longitudinal studies. In 44 articles about prevalence of sexual behaviour information about onset of sexual intercourse, adolescents with sexual intercourse experience, sexual practices, number of sexual partners and condom use and use of other contraceptives were described. The highest number of articles has been published in the United States and cross-sectional studies were predominant (AU)

Evaluación de la depresión, ansiedad e ira en pacientes con VIH/SIDA

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Summary Introduction. HIV infection is a chronic-character illness which implies a high level of uncertainty for patients. Indeed, HIV infection involves confronting an illness surrounded by social stigma and refusal. There following are some of the situations that suppose big emotional repercussions: When an individual does not know whether he/she is infected, when he/she receives HIV diagnosis, or when he/she must say to other people that he/ she is HIV positive. The emotional effects are depression, anxiety, and anger, which are frecuent emotional reactions among HIV infected patients. These reactions disappear when the patient adapts to his/her condition of HIV infected. Likewise, the uncertainty that produces HIV infection is related both to high levels of anxiety and depression because patients do not know how their infection will evolve. Anger and depression constitute other emotional factors related to a faster evolution of HIV infection. In addition to that, depression has effects over the fullfillment of the HIV infection treatment guidelines. Considering the importance of emotional aspects in HIV infection, this research's aims were to verify the differences in the sample of patients with HIV that has been evaluated regarding characteristics of depression, state of anxiety, state of anger, trait of anger, and expression of anger according to gender, stage of HIV infection, CD4 cells, viral load, transmission way, and the presence of lipodystrophy. Another aim was to verify if there were any differences between the sample of persons with HIV/AIDS that has been evaluated and the normative group in symptoms of depression, state of anxiety, state of anger, trait of anger, and expression of anger. Method. In the present research paticipated 100 HIV/AIDS-infected patients; 37 of them were women and 63 were men. The patients attended medical visits in different hospitals of Andalusia (Spain). The age rank of these patients was between 18 and 70 years. The average age was 39.55 years and the standard deviation was 7.49. The instruments used for the assessment were the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the subscale of state of anxiety of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-2). The data were collected in three hospitals of the Andalusian region by the same investigator and the confidentiality of the data was guaranteed. Another information collected were clinical data of the patients from the case histories. The statistic program SPSS 11.0 was used for the analysis of the data. This study has an ex post facto retrospective design. Results. The results showed statistically significant differences in state of anxiety according to the viral load and lipodystrophy, with higher levels of state of anxiety in the group that had a halfway point in viral load and in the group that did not show lypodistrophy. On the other hand, there were statistically significant differences in the state of anger according to the stage of HIV infection, with higher levels of anger in the group that was in the symptomatic stage of HIV infection. In this study it has been found that most men with HIV/AIDS showed symptoms of depression that were between slight, moderate, and severe depression. In contrast, a big part of the group of women did not show characteristics of depression. With regard to anxiety, an important proportion of men showed a state of anxiety, while women did not show it in most cases. Most men and women presented a low level of state of anger. In the variable trait of anger, it has been found that approximately half of the men was in the normal rank. In the group of women, the majority was in the normal rank of trait of anger too. Finally, with regard to expression of anger, more of a third of the men and women with HIV/AIDS did not express anger. Discussion. The stage of the HIV infection could be a factor that explains the high presence of characteristics of depression in men. Women could have better ways to confront the illness than men. The high levels of depression symptoms and anxiety in the group of men could be explained by the ignorance about how the infection will evolve. Other results indicated that patients infected by heterosexual relationships showed higher anxiety than patients infected by the intravenous use of drugs. This fact could be explained by a higher presence of cognitions related to the evolution of the HIV infection or risk behaviors in people who were infected by heterosexual intercourse. Patients with a halfway point in viral load showed higher levels of state of anxiety and state of anger than patients with low viral load, because people with halfway point in viral load were more aware of the deterioration produced by the HIV infection and they did not assume it. The stage of HIV infection could be a factor that explains the higher levels of state of anger in patients in the symptomatic stage. The presence of lipodystrophy implies a deterioration of corporal image in patients that suffer this syndrome. It has been found that patients who did not have lipodystrophy showed higher levels of state of anxiety than the patients with lipodystrophy. This result is incongruent with other studies that have been made. It is suggested that this is an effect of a small sample. However, two explanations can be advanced about this result. On the one hand, lipodystrophy has nowadays a subjective diagnosis, and it could be the case that many patients' lipodystrophy has not being diagnosed, when they actually have the syndrome. On the other, it has been observed that there are delays when the data related to lipodystrophy must be gathered in case histories and thus it is not known if a patient endures lipodystrophy exactly. It could be the case that a patient suffers lipodystrophy and this fact does not appear in the case history. Considering that depression and anxiety are frequent disorders in patients with HIV/AIDS and that these factors influence the immune system, the results obtained could be used for the design of intervention programs whose aims would be the assessment and the intervention of depression and anxiety. Some aspects which would be important to assess in future researches with HIV/AIDS patients are social support, levels of perceived stigma, and the perception of health control.