Sexual Activity and HIV-Related Knowledge among Secondary School Students in China.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge and sexual activity among secondary school students, and to offer specific intervention strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Random sampling technique was used and cross-sectional study was conducted among 6347 students using self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The ages of participants range from 9 to 21 years with a mean of 14.83±1.63 years. Of 6347 students, 3214 (50.6%) were female. Results showed that 65% of male and 71% of female had been pornography reader. Overall, the prevalence of knowledge on HIV caused by virus was high for male and female. On intimate contact, 25.7% of the male and 17.7% of the female students reported that they had a history of hugging; 11.3% of male and 5.6% of female students reported that they had an experience of kissing; 11.3% of male and 4.0% of female students reported that they had an experience of caressing, 27% of male and 18% of female students reported that they had an experience of sexual intercourse; and 49.5% of male and 58.4% of female students reported to have been forced to have sex. Accordingly, 75.1% of male and 90% of female students heard of HIV. CONCLUSION: Education of the students on HIV/AIDS seems poorer at the secondary school in certain areas of China; more attention should be paid to those of senior grade students and students from divorced families.