Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Women: Association with Socioeconomic and Demographic Variables

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have been a subject of discussion both among scientists & in the mass media, especially because of their association with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We studied the adoption of specific protective behaviors for the prevention of STDs among women, as well as the associations between these behaviors & socioeconomic & demographic variables. This was a descriptive study based on secondary data from a previous study carried out in Campinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. A total of 635 women were selected using the social network ("snowball") technique. Subjects were classified into four groups: adolescents, & adults of upper, middle, & lower socioeconomic status, respectively. Condoms were the STD prevention method most frequently mentioned by interviewees. A negative association was observed between having a steady partner & condom use in all the groups. The main reason mentioned for not using condoms was "having a single partner & trusting him." Among adolescents, a positive association was observed between schooling above the 8th grade & condom use, & a negative association was observed between age & condom use. Among adults, only condom use in general was also positively associated with socioeconomic status. 5 Tables, 41 References. Adapted from the source document.