Objective:

To identify youth perceptions associated to risky sexual behaviors in a group of teenagers from Tabasco.

Material and methods:

It is a mixed, cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic sampling which was carried out at the convenience of 60 people who met the inclusion criteria (18-25 years old) belonging to the state of Tabasco, consisting of 30 women and 30 men. Health and sexual habits surveys were applied to them.

Results:

Women indicated doctors (30%) and their mothers (23%) as their main sources of sexual education; while, in the group of men, they referred to doctors, friends, books, etc. For the perception of risk of acquiring HIV with current sexual behavior, men perceived a higher risk of infection in comparison to women. In relation of measures that protect against HIV, the use of condoms was identified as the safest method, both in men (96.66%) and in women (100%). The second safest option they referred to was “to get tested frequently”; however, 65% reported never having an HIV test in the past. Regarding the use of condoms, in both groups, responses predominated, such as, “they are difficult to use”, “they create mistrust in the partner”, among others. Concerning about the perception of mechanisms through which HIV could be acquired, 60 participants (100%) indicated that HIV is transmitted through sexual intercourse; however, the option “by mosquito bite” was chosen by 3 men (10%) and one woman (3.33%).

Conclusions:

Wrongful perceptions can be decisive in the practice of unsafe sexual practices. Identifying misperceptions, sources, quality and veracity of information on sexuality issues, as well as risk and protective factors, can be useful to design efficient psychoeducational interventions as a prevention strategy for adolescents and the youth.