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  • Title: An update on knowledge and sexual behaviour among students in Greenland. Monitoring of the stop-AIDS campaign.
    Author: Werdelin L, Misfeldt J, Melbye M, Olsen J.
    Journal: Scand J Soc Med; 1992 Sep; 20(3):158-64. PubMed ID: 1485152.
    Abstract:
    Greenland is a considered high risk area for a self-sustained heterosexual HIV-epidemic due to rather relaxed sexual norms in larger segments of the population and a high incidence of sexual transmitted diseases. However, the prevalence of HIV-positives is still low. As part of a monitoring programme longitudinal studies of young peoples' knowledge and sexual behaviour has been established. This paper presents results from the second survey among all students in vocational training and all 10th grade students in the public schools. Previous studies were performed in 1988 and 1989. The present study which took place in April 1991 involved a total of 1201 students, or about 85% of all students in the target groups (95% among students present on the day of surveying). Data collection was based upon standardized self-administered questionnaires. The study showed better knowledge than previously but no marked change in sexual habits. The age of sexual début even appeared to be decreasing. More than half reported a sexual début before the age of 15. More than 20% reported 10 sexual partners or more within the last year. HIV has still not reached the young population in Greenland but when it happens the present sexual behaviour carries a high risk of a self-sustained epidemic. Alarming proportions of teenagers in Greenland start to have sex early in life, sleep with multiple partners, and do not use condoms regularly. There is a rather relaxed attitude toward casual sex among the general population in Greenland. There exists a commensurately high incidence of gonorrhea, syphilis, cervical cancer, and other sexually transmitted diseases. 8000 new cases of gonorrhea were diagnosed in 1987, but only 2000 new cases have been diagnosed annually since 1990. This latter incidence is still high for the total population of 55,000 which resides in scattered settlements along the west coast of the protectorate. Greenland is at high risk for a heterosexual HIV epidemic. Thus far, Greenland has benefited by a late introduction of HIV to the society, lack of drug abuse, few opportunities for homosexual contacts, good communication and information systems, good schools, and good health care. As of September 1991, 32 HIV-seropositives had been identified from a serosampled population of 18,000; 11 of the positives were female. Studies of youth's knowledge and sexual behavior were conducted in 1988 and 1989. This repeat study surveyed all students in vocational training and all 10th graders in public schools in April 1991 through self-administered questionnaires. The group of 1201 student respondents represents 85% of all individuals in the target groups. It should be pointed out that 10th grade is the last mandatory year of the elementary school system in Greenland and that 461 respondents were under age 18 and 740 were 18 years or older. 83% had had their sexual debut. Among the sexually experienced, 54% reported first having sex before the age of 15 years. 17% of males and 11% of females reported having more than 10 sex partners in the previous year. 26% of males and 42% of females reported more than 15 intercourses per month. Consistent or most of the time use of condoms was, however, reported by only 29% of males and 24% of females. Compared to earlier surveys, the age of sexual initiation declined and respondents reported both a greater number of sex partners and a higher frequency of sexual intercourse. Denmark, yet residing in Greenland. These findings indicate that while 5 years of intensive education and prevention campaigns have succeeded in improving health personnel, teacher, and student knowledge about AIDS, no marked change has taken place in the sexual habits of the young. It is, therefore, concluded that an AIDS prevention campaign must not be based exclusively upon the promotion of condom use, but should aim to stop the decline in age of sexual debut, reduce the degree of excessive sexual promiscuity, and address alcohol abuse. These steps must be taken now to had off a self-sustained HIV epidemic as the prevalence of HIV grows in this population.
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