BACKGROUND:

There is an increase in HIV/AIDS transmission rates world-wide Aim: To explore obstacles and facilitators in the use of barrier methods for the prevention of HIV/AIDS among Chilean young people between 20 and 29 years of age.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

During the second semester of the year 2020, 134 young Chileans answered an online questionnaire with open-ended questions about barrier methods. A qualitative methodology that considered the main techniques of grounded theory for data analysis was used.

Results:

There are individual, interpersonal, sociocultural, and structural factors that operate as obstacles and facilitators for the use of barrier methods to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS.

CONCLUSIONS:

There are culturally embedded beliefs among young people, such as, a perception of invulnerability caused by not being part of risk groups, among others, that affect self-care.