Abstract

CABELLO, MA; SEQUERA, M; ARCE, ME  and  CORVALAN, G. Risk of acquiring STD/AIDS in children of slums of Asunción, Paraguay. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2007, vol.5, n.1, pp.9-14. ISSN 1812-9528.

The dissemination of the infections of sexual transmission/syndrome of acquired immunodeficiency (IST/AIDS) appears in young population, an increasing trend being observed towards the association by poverty and the lack of access to Education and Public Health. The aim of this study is to explore the situation of risk for HIV/AIDS in children from 9-15 years were presented at the schools of the Santa Ana and Ricardo Brugada neighborhoods, previous consent of authorities of the colleges and their parents to participate in the study. We apply to them a questionnaire administered by a pollster, to evaluate the knowledge on the STD/AIDS, risk factor and prevention’s forms. A whole of 297 children participated in the study. One hundred and seventy three (58%) were girls. Most of the study population (86%) lives in overcrowding conditions. Twenty eight percent of the children worked, 66% of them as ambulant sellers and 49% of the girls as domestic employee. Eighty percent did not know how STD/AIDS can be transmitted, and that condoms could prevent these diseases. Nine percent (11/24) of boys and 2% (3/173) of girls referred having had sexual relations. Ten percent of the children referred sexual abuse, 25% drinking alcoholic beverages and 2% sniffing drugs. In summary, a high percentage of this population showed ignorance about STD/AIDS and prevention forms. Besides, there is a lack of perception of the risk and environmental and socioeconomic conditions favor these diseases. These results indicate an urgent need of starting prevention campaigns in this group.

Keywords : Children; HIV; risk; factors.

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