Factors Associated With the Use of Condom and Knowledge About Hiv / Aids Among Medical Students

Abstract

Objective:To analyze the use of condoms and sexual vulnerability among university students of medicine at the Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás, Brazil. Methods: a cross-sectional study was performed with medical students. They were evaluated through a questionnaire (applied between November 2018 and March 2019) self-filled and confidential. The inclusion criterion was students enrolled in the Medicine course of the PUC Goiás who were present at the time of application of the questionnaire and agreed to sign the Free Consent Form (TCLE). Data were processed and bivariate analyzes were performed to evaluate the association between the variables under study and the consistent use of condoms. The chi-square test was used, with a 95% confidence interval and p-value<0.05 to verify if the associations found were statistically significant. Results: 394 students were included in the study. According to the students, the main reason (43.5%) for condom use is to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. More than half (55.3%) consider that they are not at risk of contracting the virus/disease. As for the STI/AIDS questions, the students of the second half of the course had a higher chance of success compared to the first half of the course (p<0.0001). There was no association between consistent condom use and knowledge about HIV/AIDS (p=0.8685). Conclusion: The present study revealed that the respondents adopt a sexual risk behavior even when they have knowledge about STI.