Authors
G. Dessì (1), S.M. Pani (2), A. Mereu (2), C. Sardu (2), P. Contu (2)
Affiliation
(1) LILA Cagliari OdV, Cagliari, Italy, (2) Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
ABSTRACT
LILA (Italian League Fighting AIDS) Cagliari has been working on HIV prevention in Sardinia since 1993. From 2013 to 2022, the EducAids project involved 9551 high school students in 69 days of activities, distributed 2062 condoms, and 5444 information leaflets. The project involved about 9 schools and seven volunteers per year. This work presents the results of the project's initial questionnaires collected between 2017 and 2022 in 36 Sardinian schools.
The anonymous questionnaires were administered in BYOD (bring-your-own-device) and compiled in class with an operator from the association. Questionnaire sections: 1) age, gender, orientation, sexual debut; 2) prophylactic use, other contraceptives, alcohol and drug use during sexual encounters; 3) students' attitude on HIV (approach, stigma towards people with HIV/considered at risk of HIV, points of view on sexuality) (Tab.1), opinions on the organization of emotional and sexual education activities, availability of condoms during LILA intervention, and condoms sale in vending machines at school; 4) self-assessment of knowledge about statements about HIV; 5) feedback on difficulties and embarrassment about covered topics.
4194 questionnaires were analyzed (age 13-20, mean 17 years; gender: 2378 women; 1804 men; 12 non-binary; orientation: 85.1% heterosexual; relationship status: 70.3% single)(Tab.2). 38% of participants already had sexual intercourse (57% before the age of 16)(Tab.1). 37.3% always used condoms in penetrative intercourse, 46.3% sporadically, 16.5% never. Reasons for the assiduous use of condoms were pregnancy prevention and STIs, greater safety, and agreement between partners. Among sporadic users, 37.2% didn't always have condoms, 26.5% found condoms uncomfortable, and 17.4% felt less satisfied. Among those who don't use condoms, 19.2% feel uncomfortable, 14.1% report decreased sexual pleasure, and 8.6% were exclusive.
The knowledge reported on general statements on HIV was mostly higher than 60% (Tab. 3). On statements about HIV testing and PrEP, the level of knowledge was lower (e.g., "If someone becomes infected with HIV it may take several weeks before it can be detected in a test" (30.3% correct answers)) (Tab.4). 100% of the students were in favour of the proposed interventions, and the majority were not embarrassed nor experienced difficulties dealing with the topics.
Our results highlighted the need for more adequate education on HIV. The inadequate formation proposed by the Italian school system on emotional and sexual education was highlighted by the majority of participants that were in favour of structured and high-quality interventions. Furthermore, the scientific community, civil society, and international organizations recommend comprehensive sex education. Therefore, projects like EducAids by LILA Cagliari are essential to inform the students and amplify their voices about the need for the institutional actors to implement the international recommendations.
Allegato: Poster presentato alla conferenza
Lavoro presentato in occasione di ICAR 2024 - Italian Conference on AIDS and Antiviral Research
