BACKGROUND:

HIV infection has sustained increased in the Chilean young population. In order to focus on sexual education in adolescents, it is first necessary to establish the degree of knowledge and risk behaviors in this group. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the degree of knowledge and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors in adolescents from rural and urban schools.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The study included 385 adolescents between 14 and 18 years old. Through an anonymous survey, sociodemographic data, knowledge about HIV/ AIDS, risk behaviors, and ways of accessing information were collected.

RESULTS:

A third of the adolescents surveyed (33.6%) reported having initiated sexual activity, primarily men. Rural students showed lower knowledge of HIV/AIDS. 32.2% of individuals who initiated sexual activity reported nonuse or rarely use of condoms, and only 4.4% of students have had an HIV detection/diagnostic test. Although the students had received information mainly from their teachers, they reported that if they needed help, they would go to health centers, youth programs, and, to a lesser extent, to teachers. They also preferred access to information in workshops, on the Internet, and social networks.

CONCLUSIONS:

We observed regular knowledge of HIV/AIDS among adolescents. Rural students showed less knowledge and several risk behaviors. These findings emphasize the need to establish sexual education strategies in adolescents, considering the territory and the use of new technologies.