Risk perception and sexual behaviour among young people: triangulation of qualitative, quantitative and biological markers data

Cecilia Gayet, Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO)
Miguel Sanchez, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica
Carlos Conde, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica

Despite the government actions to prevent AIDS, the upward trend in HIV infection continues among young heterosexuals in Mexico. Usually policies and programmes fail to consider cultural factors that may prevent condom use. The paper tests the approach of data triangulation to understand the obstacles that prevent the systematic use of condoms in the sexual relationships among young Mexican. Several elements that may act as obstacles to condom used are examined, such as knowledge of prevention, socio-demographic and cultural factors (gender constructions) on safe or unsafe sexual practices. The data -quantitative and qualitative- were collected specially for this analysis, and biological markers of risky behaviour (laboratory tests: HSV-2, HPV) were also obtained. Our findings indicate that gender is a key element in the construct of sexuality, risk and prevention. Gender relations make young people not feel the need of prevention of sexually transmitted infections or HIV/AIDS.