Attitudes and embarrassment about condoms in nursing students

Cunha-Oliveira, Aliete Cristina Gomes Dias Pedrosa da; Camarneiro, Ana Paula Forte; Xavier, Beatriz de Oliveira; Silva, Margarida Alexandra Nunes Carramanho Gomes Martins Moreira da; Simões, Isabel Maria Henriques; Cardoso, Ilda Maria Morais Massano

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Acta Paulista de Enfermagem

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Original Article • Acta Paul Enferm 34 • 2021 • https://doi.org/10.37689/acta-ape/2021AO01954 copy

Attitudes and embarrassment about condoms in nursing students

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the perception of individual risk of HIV infection; to assess knowledge about HIV infection; to learn about condom use attitudes according to gender; to investigate embarrassment about obtaining, negotiating and using condoms according to gender, whether male or female condom.

Method

This was an analytical cross-sectional study. A non-probabilistic sample was assembled consisting of 102 nursing students. Instruments: sociodemographic and risk perception questionnaire; knowledge test; scale of embarrassment about condom use; condom attitudes scale.

Results

Perception of risk of HIV infection is favorable/very favorable for more than 50% of young people and there was no statistical difference between the sexes (X ²=2.213; GL= 4, p= 0.697). Of the participants, 86.3% had never been tested for HIV and 86.1% did not recall any HIV prevention campaign. The global result of the knowledge test was 83.7%. The medical-scientific dimension presented the lowest results (77.8%) Embarrassment about obtaining condoms was higher among the women than men (t=-2.08; p=0.04). Attitude towards using condoms was not significantly different between the genders (t= -1.20; p= 0.23).

Conclusion

The students had a good perception of the risk of HIV infection, but presented low adherence to HIV testing and most did not remember the last prevention campaign. They presented having a high level of knowledge, but they need to improve their knowledge in the medical-scientific dimension. Female students were more embarrassed than the male students about condoms, however, the attitudes towards them were identical. Educational programs continue to be essential.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Attitude; Students; Condoms; Perception; Risk

Dimensions (overall average = 83.7%)	Correct answers in %
Medical-scientific knowledge	m = 77.8
1. AIDS means Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome	99.0
2. Today, most scientists believe that AIDS is caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus	88.2
3. Most people who have AIDS are usually cured	97.1
4. A baby from an HIV-carrying mother can get AIDS	87.3
5. HIV circulates in the blood	96.1
6. Most people with HIV are sick with AIDS	62.7
8. HIV appears in semen	93.1
9. The number of men and women infected with HIV will likely be lower in coming years than today	33.3
10. AIDS decreases the body’s ability to resist diseases	99.0
12. A negative test for HIV antibodies means the person is likely to have AIDS	93.1
15. If an HIV test is negative it means that the person has AIDS	96.1
16. People with AIDS can therefore contract other diseases	94.1
17. You can die of AIDS if you get the disease	36.3
20. People with AIDS get pneumonia more easily than the average person	93.1
26. Sheepskin condoms are better than latex condoms for HIV prevention	94.1
31. One positive HIV test is enough to make sure you are infected)	46.1
33. A vaccine has recently been developed that immunizes people against HIV	91.2
34. Even if someone looks healthy, an infected partner can transmit HIV	97.1
35. If you’re really healthy, exercise can protect you from HIV infection	98.0
36. If the person you’re having sex with has already tested negative for HIV, that means you’re not infected.)	85.3
38. Better than using only the condom is using it with a spermicide	67.6
39. One can become infected with HIV, and then get AIDS through an injury or an open wound	37.3
41. If you have a false positive test for HIV, it means you are infected	81.4
Myths about transmission	m = 82
11. There are people who have been infected with HIV and got AIDS by sitting in public toilets	85.3
23. There are people who have been infected by HIV by swimming in a pool used by someone who had AIDS	96.1
25. There are people who have been infected with HIV and contracted AIDS because they kissed a person who was infected	74.5
27. Soon after being infected with HIV, it is customary for people to become very ill with AIDS	80.4
29. There are people who have been infected with HIV and contracted AIDS through insect bites	84.3
32. Pregnant women are protected from HIV	98.0
37. There are people who have been infected with HIV because they went to eat at a restaurant where one of the employees had AIDS.	97.1
43. One can become infected with HIV, and then get AIDS by donating blood	25.5
45. You can become infected with HIV while taking the HIV test	97.0
Knowledge about high-risk behaviors and preventive behaviors	m = 91.3
7. Sex workers have a low probability of being infected with HIV	98.0
13. If you have sex with only one person in a lifetime, you can still get HIV	96.1
14. Even though they may lie to you, it’s always a good idea to ask the person you’re having sex with about their sexual past	100
18. Men are more likely to be infected by HIV infection if they have sex with women than if they have sex with men	99.0
19. Condom use reduces the likelihood of being infected with HIV	98.0
21. Women are more likely to become infected with HIV if they have sex with a strictly heterosexual man than with a bisexual man	93.1
22. It is safe to have sex without a condom with a person who uses injectable drugs, as long as you do not inject yourself	100.0
24. Anyone, regardless of race, can be infected with HIV	98.0
28. Whether you get HIV depends more on whether you have safe sex than on the type of group you belong to	86.3
30. Is it safer not to have sex than having sex using a condom	54.9
40. There is no danger of being infected with HIV and contracting AIDS if you have oral sex without a condom	93.1
44. People who use alcohol and drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and “crack” are more likely not to practice safe sex	79.4

Scale and subscales	m	SD	t	p-value
Total embarrassment
Male (n = 19)	35.63	12.72	-1.17	0.24
Female (n = 75)	38.96	10.61
Acquisition Embarrassment
Male (n = 19)	18.21	8.60	- 2,08	0.04
Female (n = 76)	22.53	7.92
Negotiation Embarrassment
Male (n = 19)	7.58	2.87	- 1.20	0.23
Female (n = 77)	8.56	3.25
Embarrassment Use			U	p-value
Male (n = 19)	9.84	4.27	541.50	0.06
Female (n = 78)	7.74	2.91

Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de São Paulo R. Napoleão de Barros, 754, 04024-002 São Paulo - SP/Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 5576 4430 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: actapaulista@unifesp.br

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[1] Corresponding author Aliete Cristina Gomes Dias Pedrosa da Cunha Oliveira E-mail: alietecunha@esenfc.pt