Date of Award

2003

Degree Name

Adult and Technical Education

College

College of Education

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Howard R.D. Gordon

Second Advisor

Laura Wyant

Third Advisor

Lee Olson

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to reproduction, contraception, STD/HIV and sexual risk behaviors among high school students. The study featured a cluster sampling involving eleventh grade students from two high schools in Aguablanca District - Cali, Colombia. A cohort of 313 students completed an anonymous questionnaire with a 20–item scale that measured level of knowledge in reproduction, contraception and STD/HIV; 5 item-scale that measured attitudes and self-efficacy related to practices of protective sexual behavior; and a 5-item scale that measured intentions toward their capabilities to perform specific actions that predicted the adolescents at risk for acquisition of STD/HIV and early pregnancy.

The results found in this study suggest that a large percentage of these high school students have serious misinformation or no information concerning selected health matters they should be aware of at certain stage of their growth cycle. The data revealed that there are existing gaps in knowledge that should be of concern to parents, teachers and health personnel.

The prevalence of the risk behaviors among this group of eleventh grade indicates a need for broad-based educational efforts. Such efforts should include an increase of high schools’ curricula and availability of resources that aid in the prevention of STD/HIV transmission, early pregnancies, and other essential health issues.

Subject(s)

High school students - Sexual behavior - Columbia.

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