Open AccessRisk factors associated with sexually transmitted infections and HIV among adolescents in a reference clinic in Madrid
Author(s) -
Oskar Ayerdi,
Mar Vera,
M.aV. Barajas Sánchez,
Giovanna D Elia,
Belén Chavero Méndez,
María Alvargonzalez Arrancudiaga,
Sandra Bello León,
Travis Lopez,
Petunia Clavo Escribano,
Juan Ballesteros Martín,
Blanca Prieto,
Manuel Fuentes,
Mónica García Lotero,
Montserrat Raposo Utrilla,
Carlos González Martín,
Jorge Del Romero Guerrero
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0228998
Subject(s) - medicine , syphilis , epidemiology , chlamydia , gonorrhea , multivariate analysis , incidence (geometry) , demography , young adult , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , gerontology , pediatrics , family medicine , immunology , physics , sociology , optics
Adolescents have a higher incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than persons of older age groups. The WHO emphasises the need to adopt specific and comprehensive prevention programmes aimed at this age group. The objective of this work was to analyse the prevalence of HIV/STIs among adolescents and to identify the sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural markers associated with these infections, in order to promote specific preventive strategies. Methodology Retrospective descriptive study of adolescents, aged 10–19 years, who were attended to for the first consultation between 2016 and 2018 in a reference STI clinic in Madrid. All adolescents were given a structured epidemiological questionnaire where information on sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural characteristics was collected. They were screened for human inmmunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The processing and analysis of the data was done using the STATA 15.0 statistical package. Results The frequency of HIV/STIs detected among all adolescents was: gonorrhoea 21.7%, chlamydia 17.1%, syphilis 4.8% and HIV 2.4%. After conducting a multivariate analysis, the independent and statistically significant variables related to the presence of an STI were having first sexual relations at a young age and having a history of STIs. Latin American origin was just below the level of statistical significance (p = 0.066). Discussion/Conclusions Adolescents who begin sexual relations at an early age or those who have a history of HIV/STIs are at higher risk of acquiring STIs. Comprehensive prevention programmes aimed specifically at adolescents should be implemented, especially before the age of 13 years.