Sexual behavior, drug and alcohol use and its relationship among students in some public schools in Manizales, Colombia, 2008

Objective: This study wants to know the sexual attitudes and the frequency of drugs and alcohol consume, and its relationship on high school adolescents of four public schools in the city of Manizales between 9th and 11th grade. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was made. The conditions to participate on the survey was being cursing 9th, 10th or 11th grade in the respective institution and a voluntary participation. The data recollection was made with a survey that include socio-demographic aspects, sexual conducts, and relational aspects with health, guarantying the confidentiality of data obtained. Results: The rates of sexual relations start was 13.64 years for males and 14.83 years for women's, the female majority participants (64.4%) had one sexual partner in contrast with males (21%); was found an index of alcohol consume of 94.9%, and the beer was the more consumed in males too; the substances consume was 45.2% and the popper was the more consumed (38.9%), These percentages include low intakes. Clear relationships between the variables of sexual behavior and alcohol and drugs use was found, in particular highlights the relationship between number of sexual partners and drug use. Conclusions: The conclusions are that the start of sexual relations in this population is premature, with a broad use of condom as contraceptive method (88.8%) and the substance consume is frequent. The refocus of preventive health is needed.