Polish adolescents and their beliefs and attitudes to HIV/AIDS and sexual relationships

Abstract

The aim of the study was to survey the needs for HIV/AIDS educational interventions and attitudes and beliefs concerning HIV infection, including sexual relationships, among 17‐year‐old Polish adolescents. A total of 761 students who attended schools located in urban and rural areas was surveyed. The study, based on the voluntary, self‐completed, anonymous questionnaire designed by World Health Organization (WHO), was also aimed at identifying their sources of information about HIV and AIDS. The findings suggest that the main sources of such information were television, newspapers and doctors/nurses (in that order), with the preferred sources being medical personnel, television, school and newspapers (in that order). The great majority of respondents felt they required more information. Responses indicated that previous information on HIV/AIDS had not been integrated into students' plans for situations involving relationships and sexual activity. About 60% of girls and 44% of boys stated that sex without love is not satisfying. About 40% of girls and 20% of boys stated that for the rest of their life they intended to have only one partner. Only about 10% of boys and girls believed that they should avoid sexual relationships because of AIDS. Adolescents declared that their attitudes towards HIV‐infected persons were ones of acceptance. The mechanisms through which young people in Poland are not getting enough HIV/AIDS information and are not changing their sexual behaviour in order to avoid HIV infection are discussed. Areas that require future educational intervention are addressed.