Effects of a Sexual Risk-Reduction Intervention for Teenagers: A Cluster-Randomized Control Trial.

This study evaluated the efficacy of the COMPAS program in the short term and 6 months after its application. For the initial sample, 2047 teenagers aged 14-19 years from 14 schools in 11 Colombian cities participated; eight schools were randomly assigned to the experimental condition and six to the control group. The participants completed self-report assessments that evaluated several variables theoretically associated with protective sexual behaviors. In the short term, the experimental group showed increased knowledge about HIV and other STIs, sexual assertiveness, self-efficacy, greater behavioral intention toward condom use, and more favorable attitudes toward HIV and condom use than the control group. After 6 months, most psychological and health variables also showed a significant positive change. In conclusion, the COMPAS program is the first school-based sexuality education program that has been shown to be effective in reducing mediating and behavioral variables associated with sexual risk reduction in Colombia.

RESUMEN: Este estudio evaluó la eficacia del programa COMPAS a corto plazo y a 6 meses después de la aplicación. Para la muestra inicial participaron 2.047 adolescentes de 14 a 19 años provenientes de 12 escuelas en 11 ciudades colombianas; 8 escuelas fueron aleatoriamente asignadas a la condición experimental y 6 al grupo control. Los participantes completaron autoinformes sobre variables teóricamente asociadas con comportamientos sexuales de protección. A corto plazo, el grupo experimental mostró un mayor conocimiento sobre ITS, asertividad sexual, autoeficacia e intención conductual hacia el uso del condón y actitudes más favorables hacia el VIH que el grupo de control. Después de seis meses, la mayoría de las variables psicológicas y de salud también mostraron un cambio positivo. En conclusión, el programa COMPAS es el primer programa de educación sexual que ha demostrado ser efectivo para reducir las variables mediadoras y conductuales asociadas con la reducción del riesgo sexual en Colombia.

Trabajo sexual y pandemia de la COVID-19: salud sexual y mental de una muestra de trabajadoras sexuales de Colombia

Introducción: En diversos países las mujeres trabajadoras sexuales han sido estigmatizadas y discriminadas, lo que causa en ellas problemas de salud mental y sexual. No obstante, se desconoce cómo la pandemia por COVID-19 y el distanciamiento social han impactado en su salud. El objetivo de la presente investigación, de tipo descriptivo, fue evaluar factores psicosociales, la salud mental, las estrategias para prácticas sexuales con protección, las actitudes hacia el VIH y la sexualidad durante el periodo de confinamiento. . Método: Participaron 98 mujeres trabajadoras sexuales de tres sectores de la Bogotá, quienes respondieron a escalas psicométricas en salud mental y sexual. Resultados: Más del 60 % de las participantes indican sentir abandono estatal, baja clientela y poco o ningún ingreso económico; afectación emocional, una tendencia a presentar actitudes negativas frente a la sexualidad, actitudes favorables hacia el uso del condón, las pruebas de detección del VIH y una alta tendencia a emplear estrategias de persuasión cuando el cliente se niega a usar protección. Conclusiones: Las problemáticas en salud mental y sexual se mantienen e intensifican en pandemia para las trabajadoras sexuales en Colombia, lo cual sigue siendo un reto a escala nacional que requiere una intervención eficaz y efectiva desde lo económico y psicosocial.

Introduction: In different countries, women sex workers have been stigmatized and discriminated against causing mental and sexual health problems in them. However, it is unknown how the pandemic and social distancing have impacted on their health. The objective of this descriptive research was to evaluate psychosocial factors, mental health, strategies for safe sexual practices, attitudes towards HIV and sexuality during the confinement period. Method: 98 female sex workers from three sectors of Bogotá participated, who responded to psychometric scales on mental and sexual health. Results: More than 60% of the participants indicate feeling abandonment of the state, low clientele and little or no economic income; emotional involvement, a tendency to present negative attitudes towards sexuality, positive attitudes towards condom use, HIV testing and a high tendency to use persuasion strategies when the client refuses to use protection. Conclusions: Mental and sexual health problems continue and intensify in pandemic for sex workers in Colombia, which continues to be a national challenge that requires efficient and effective intervention from the economic and psychosocial aspects.

Colombian Adaptation of the HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Knowledge Scale (KSI) in an Adolescent Population.

Colombia has one of the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and teenage pregnancies among Latin American countries. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other STIs has been identified as a factor in promoting healthy sexual behavior. The HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Knowledge Scale (KSI) is an instrument created in Spain to assess sexual health knowledge in adolescents. In view of the lack of scales that measure this construct in Colombia, this study aims to culturally adapt and validate the KSI for the Colombian adolescent population. The sample was comprised of 866 adolescent school children (458 females and 408 males) aged between 14 and 19 years (M = 15.97, SD = 1.36) from 12 schools in the cities of Bogotá (n = 467) and Barranquilla (n = 400). Results showed good item psychometric properties and adequate discrimination and difficulty indices. Factorial analysis confirmed a five-dimensional factor structure. The indicators of validity showed significant correlations with constructs related on theoretical grounds. In sum, the study presents a valid and reliable scale for evaluating knowledge about HIV and other STIs in Colombian adolescent population.

Psychometric Properties of the Colombian Version of the HIV Attitudes Scale for Adolescents.

The HIV Attitudes Scale (HIV-AS) evaluates attitudes towards different aspects of HIV. In view of the lack of scales measuring this construct in Colombia, this study sought to validate the HIV-AS test for adolescents from Colombia. A total of 867 Colombian students, aged between 14 and 19 years (M = 15.97 years; SD = 1.37) were evaluated. Participants responded to the HIV-AS test and a set of scales used to assess external validity. Content validity analyses reflected good adequacy indices for the items. Exploratory factor analyses revealed a four-factor structure and reliability indices were satisfactory. The structural equation model showed good levels of fit. Most of the items presented a discrimination index above 0.30 and contributed to the reliability of the scale, except for item 9, which was eliminated. Concurrent validity showed significant correlations among the HIV-AS and other similar constructs. A reliable measurement of attitudes toward HIV allows for an improved assessment of the risk associated with exposure to sexually transmitted infections in adolescent populations.

A text mining approach for adapting a school-based sexual health promotion program in Colombia.

A common practice among clinical psychologists and other health professionals is the use of school-based sexual health promotion programs as a means for preventing sexually transmitted infections. A fundamental criterion for the designing and adaptation of these programs is the age of their target populations because limited education and language are the most relevant factors that limit the efficacy of these programs. The contribution of this paper consists of assessing both the readability of the written materials that accompany the contents of a Spanish-written school-based sexual health promotion program used in Colombia, as well as the words co-occurrence network structure of its contents. The readability of the evaluated program corresponded to its intended target population aged between 14 and 19, with the schooling of 9-13 years of education. The resulting words co-occurrence network structure of the COMPAS program also mirrored its theoretical content. These results all together are deemed as empirical evidence of the adequacy of the program.

Adaptation of an effective school-based sexual health promotion program for youth in Colombia.

RATIONALE: Given the disproportionate impact of HIV and STIs among youth in Latin America, there is a compelling need for effective sex education programs. In particular, Colombia lacks a nationally standardized youth sex education program, despite the fact that 15 to 24-year-olds accounted for the highest incidence and prevalence rates of HIV and STIs in the nation. In an attempt to fill this void, our team adapted COMPAS, a Spanish school-based sexual health promotion intervention, for Colombian adolescents. OBJECTIVE: This study describes the adaptation process that resulted in a modified version of COMPAS for youth in Colombia. METHOD: We employed a systematic cultural adaptation process utilizing a mixed methods approach, including intervention adaptation sessions with 100 young adolescents aged 15-19. The process included six steps: 1) consulting international researchers and community stakeholders; 2) capturing the lived experiences of a diverse sample of colombian youth; 3) identifying priorities and areas in need of improvement; 4) integrating the social cognitive theory, information-motivation-behavioral skills model, and an ecological framework for colombian youth; 5) adapting intervention content, activities, and materials; and 6) quantitative evaluation of COMPAS by Colombian youth. RESULTS: The adapted intervention incorporates elements common to effective youth sex education interventions, including: a solid theoretical foundation, sexual communication skills and social support for protection, and guidance on how to utilize available cultural- and linguistic-appropriate services. In addition, the adapted intervention incorporates cultural and linguistic appropriate content, including an emphasis on tackling machismo to promote risk reduction behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic adaptation approach to sexual health intervention for youth can be employed by researchers and community stakeholders in low-resource settings for the promotion of health wellness, linkage to care, and STI and unplanned pregnancy prevention for youth.

Sexual risk among Colombian adolescents: knowledge, attitudes, normative beliefs, perceived control, intention, and sexual behavior.

BACKGROUND: Colombia has one of the highest rates of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and pregnancies - both of which are influenced by lack of condom use -, among adolescent population in Latin America; however, the mechanisms underlying the inconsistent use of condoms in this population are poorly understood. This descriptive and cross-sectional study's purpose was to examine sexual behavior and its precursors using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and considering gender-based differences. Another objective was to study the mediating effect of intention in the relationship between behavior precursors and condom use based on the TPB. METHODS: We recruited 1100 adolescents aged between 14 and 19 years old (M = 15.94, SD = 1.30, 54.4% female) from Bogotá and Barranquilla, two of the cities with highest adolescent birth rates among adolescents in Colombia. Sociodemographic variables, knowledge on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS-related attitudes, including attitudes toward the use of condoms, normative beliefs, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intention, and sexual behavior were assessed using self-reports. All analyses were run using SPSS v25. The indirect effect of intention to explain the relationship between precursors and the use of condoms during sexual intercourse was estimated using the PROCESS v3 macro. RESULTS: Descriptive analyses suggest a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies associated to inconsistent condom use, medium-low level of knowledge about sexual health, low normative beliefs regarding peers' condom use, and a certain perceived difficulty for using condoms. Condoms are used 71% of the times they have sex, but only 22% of the participants use them consistently; girls use condoms more consistently than boys. Sexual risk characteristics differed significantly by gender. Mediation analyses indicated that condom use intention mediates the relationship between behavioral precursors and frequency of condom use, according to the TPB. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide a better understanding of sexual risk and highlight important implications for the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents. There is a need of designing and implementing protocolized sexual health promotion programs in schools with the aim of reducing sexual risk behaviors in Colombian adolescents.

Developing guidelines for adapting questionnaires into the same language in another culture / Desarrollo de guías para adaptar cuestionarios dentro de una misma lengua en otra cultura

The adaptation of a test from a language into that same language in another culture is common; however, there are no clear guidelines for this process. The objective was to adapt a protocol providing some guidelines for adapting questionnaires from one language to the same language. a total of eight experts supported the adaption process and 825 participants from Spain and Colombia were evaluated in this study. Participants answered the brief version of the Sexual Assertiveness Scale, the Sexual Opinion Survey, the Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire and the Sexuality Scale. The adaptation was made following some guidelines which have already been published. The results showed a strong partial invariance between countries. DIF analysis also replied this partial invariant form and adequate psychometric properties; guidelines to adapt questionnaires into same language in other cultures are presented. therefore, the adaptation process - in the absence of further evidence - could be effective.

La adaptación de test dentro de una misma lengua en varias culturas diferentes es común; sin embargo, no existen guías claras para realizar este proceso. El objetivo fue adaptar un protocolo generando unas guías para adaptar cuestionarios dentro de una misma lengua. Un total de ocho expertos realizaron el proceso de adaptación y 825 participantes de Espana y Colombia fueron evaluados en este estudio. Todos ellos contestaron a la versión breve de la Sexual Assertiveness Scale, la Sexual Opinion Survey, la Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire y la Sexuality Scale. La adaptación se realizó siguiendo las directrices de algunas guías ya publicadas. Los resultados mostraron una invarianza fuerte entre los dos países. Estos hallazgos fueron replicados mediante DIF, además se observaron adecuadas propiedades psicométricas, finalmente las guías para el proceso de adaptación han sido presentadas. Por lo que concluimos que el proceso de adaptación - en ausencia de más evidencia- podría ser efectivo.

Validity and reliability of a set of sexual stimuli in a sample of Colombian heterosexual young women / Validez y fiabilidad de un set de estímulos sexuales en una muestra de jóvenes mujeres heterosexuales colombianas

Vaginal photoplethysmography is a method for physiological evaluation of sexual arousal in women. This paper undertook to obtain the validity and reliability of a set of sexual stimuli in young heterosexual women. Six six-minute video clips were selected. A total of 34 women aged 18-30 years(M = 22.38, SD = 2.52) participated in this study. Objective Sexual Arousal, Subjective Sexual Arousal, emotional activation, emotional valence and socio-psycho-sexual information were evaluated. Three of the six sexual stimuli were selected from the scores obtained after the experimental phase. It was observed that the aforementioned video clips produced the most arousal-activation-pleasure, with internally consistent measures. As expected, good indicators of external validity were observed, with statistically significant differences. According to the data obtained, the pooled use of the three stimuli increases the like lihoodof obtainingan objective arousal response in healthy young women, there by minimizing the possibilities of displeasure.

La fotopletismografía vaginal es un método para evaluar fisiológicamente la excitación sexual objetiva en mujeres. El objetivo del presente estudio es obtener la validez y fiabilidad de un set de estímulos sexuales en mujeres jóvenes heterosexuales. Se seleccionaron seis videos sexuales de 6 minutos de duración. Un total de 34 mujeres entre los 18 y 30 años (M = 22.38; SD = 2.52) participaron en este estudio. Se evaluó la Excitación Sexual Objetiva, Subjetiva, la activación y valencia emocional e información sociopsicosexual. Tres de los seis estímulos sexuales se seleccionaron a partir de las puntuaciones obtenidas luego de la fase experimental. Se observó que estos fueron los que mayor excitación-activación-agrado produjeron con medidas internamente consistentes. Se observaron buenos indicadores de validez externa con diferencias estadísticamente significativas, como era de esperarse. Según los datos obtenidos, el uso agrupado de los tres estímulos aumentan la probabilidad de obtener unarespuesta de excitación objetiva en mujeres jóvenes saludables y minimizan las posibilidades de desagrado.

Adaptation, Validation, Reliability and Factorial Equivalence of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in Colombian and Spanish Population.

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is the most widely used instrument to assess self-esteem. In light of the absence of adaptations in Colombia, this study seeks to validate and adapt this scale in the Colombian population, and perform factorial equivalence with the Spanish version. A total of 1,139 seniors (633 Colombians and 506 Spaniards) were evaluated; the individuals answered the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and sexual self-esteem scale. The average score of the items was similar to the questionnaire's theoretical average, and standard deviations were close to one. The psychometric properties of the items are generally adequate with alphas of .83 and .86 and significant (CI = .95) and correlations with the sexual self-esteem scale ranging from .31 and .41. Factorial equivalence was confirmed by means of a structural equation model (CFI = .912 and RMSEA = .079), thus showing a strong level of invariance.

Adaptation and validation of the brief sexuality scale in colombian and spanish populations

The Sexuality Scale is an instrument which evaluates what people think and how they feel about their own sexuality through three components: Sexual Self-Esteem, Sexual Depression and Sexual Preoccupation. Given the clinical implications and impact on sexual health after having demonstrated its relationship with various components of sexuality, and the little research on the last two components of the scale, this study undertook to translate, adapt and validate the brief version of the Sexuality Scale in a sample of 1167 Spanish and Colombian men and women. Two versions of the instrument were obtained -one for each country. In both versions, the results indicate high levels of reliability and adequate psychometric properties of the items. Configural invariance confirmed the three-dimensional structure of the scale for the two versions. The correlations with scales that evaluate various aspects of sexuality confirm adequate levels of concurrent validity. The scales may have important implications for evaluation and intervention of various dimensions of sexual behavior (AU)

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Adaptation and Validation of the Brief Sexual Opinion Survey (SOS) in a Colombian Sample and Factorial Equivalence with the Spanish Version.

Attitudes toward sexuality are a key variable for sexual health. It is really important for psychology and education to have adapted and validated questionnaires to evaluate these attitudes. Therefore, the objective of this research was to adapt, validate and calculate the equivalence of the Colombia Sexual Opinion Survey as compared to the same survey from Spain. To this end, a total of eight experts were consulted and 1,167 subjects from Colombia and Spain answered the Sexual Opinion Survey, the Sexual Assertiveness Scale, the Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire, and the Sexuality Scale. The evaluation was conducted by online and the results show adequate qualitative and quantitative properties of the items, with adequate reliability and external validity and compliance with the strong invariance between the two countries. Consequently, the Colombia Sexual Opinion Survey is a valid and reliable scale and its scores can be compared with the ones from the Spain survey, with minimum bias.

Adaptation, validation and reliability of the Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire in a Colombian sample and factorial equivalence with the Spanish version / Adaptación, validación y fiabilidad del Cuestionario de funcionamiento sexual del Hospital General de Massachusetts en una muestra colombiana y equivalencia factorial con la versión en españo

Sexual dysfunctions are a highly prevalent problem. It is necessary to have instruments adapted to the Colombian population in order to evaluate their sexual functioning because to date none of them have been validated. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire in Colombian population, and compare it with a similar sample from Spain. Two different samples were used in this study. On one hand, a sample of expert judges who performed the cultural adaptation and the evaluation of the scale, and on the other hand, a second end sample of 1117 participants -men and women of both nationalities- who answered the questionnaire -together with others-through a virtual platform. Some of the items were adjusted based on the initial results of the evaluation by the expert judges. Cronbach's alpha between .81 and .92 were obtained after the application of the test. The psychometric properties of the scale are adequate and this instrument properly correlates with other criterion variables. Construct validity was evaluated using factorial invariance. The unidimensional configural model for men (RMSEA= .000; CFI = 1) and for women (RMSEA= .048, CFI = .997) had an adequate fit, and a level of strict invariance was also reached. Screening can be performed with this first validated scale in order to evaluate the sexual difficulties of the Colombian population and compare them with the Spanish population.

Las disfunciones sexuales son un problema muy frecuente. Es necesario contar con instrumentos adaptados a la población colombiana con el fin de evaluar su funcionamiento sexual porque hasta la fecha ninguno de ellos se ha validado. El objetivo de este estudio fue adaptar y validar el Cuestionario de funcionamiento sexual del Hospital General de Massachusetts en la población colombiana y compararla con una muestra similar de España. Se utilizaron dos muestras diferentes en este estudio. Por una parte, una muestra de jueces expertos que realizaron la adaptación cultural y la evaluación de la escala, y por la otra, una segunda muestra final de 1.117 participantes - hombres y mujeres de ambas nacionalidades - que respondieron el cuestionario, junto con otros, a través de una plataforma virtual. Algunos de los elementos se ajustaron según los resultados iniciales de la evaluación realizada por jueces expertos. Se obtuvieron coeficientes alfa de Cronbach entre 0.81 y 0.92 después de la aplicación de la prueba. Las propiedades psicométricas de la escala son adecuadas y este instrumento se correlaciona debidamente con otras variables para el criterio. La validez del constructo se evaluó mediante invariancia factorial. El modelo configural unidimensional para los hombres (RMSEA = 0.000; CFI = 1) y para las mujeres (RMSEA = 0.048; CFI =0.997) tenía un ajuste adecuado, y también se alcanzó un nivel de estricta invariancia. Puede realizarse un cribado con esta primera escala validada para evaluar las dificultades sexuales de la población colombiana y compararlas con las de la población española.

Adaptation, validation, reliability and factorial equivalence of the Rosenberg-Self-Esteem Scale in Colombian and Spanish population

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is the most widely used instrument to assess self-esteem. In light of the absence of adaptations in Colombia, this study seeks to validate and adapt this scale in the Colombian population, and perform factorial equivalence with the Spanish version. A total of 1,139 seniors (633 Colombians and 506 Spaniards) were evaluated; the individuals answered the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and sexual self-esteem scale. The average score of the items was similar to the questionnaire’s theoretical average, and standard deviations were close to one. The psychometric properties of the items are generally adequate with alphas of .83 and .86 and significant (CI = .95) and correlations with the sexual self-esteem scale ranging from .31 and .41. Factorial equivalence was confirmed by means of a structural equation model (CFI = .912 and RMSEA = .079), thus showing a strong level of invariance (AU)

No disponible