Válvula de Escape - Results

To address the gaps in knowledge about HIV prevention and family planning, PMC collaborated with CORA (Centro de Orientación para Adolescentes) to develop and produce a radio call-in show for youth, called Válvula de Escape, Un Espacio Sin Censura. Sexo Netas y Preguntas (“Escape Valve, a Space without Censorship. Discussion and Questions about Sex”). The program was aired for one hour every Thursday on Radio Mexiquense in Toluca (Mexico State).

Válvula de Escape provided an outlet for teens to discuss issues relating to sexual/reproductive health directly with health professionals. In order to gauge the success of the show, a survey of 300 students was conducted in the fall of 2007 on school campuses in one of the listening areas. Respondents were asked a series of questions about:

    1. Awareness and exposure to the radio program Válvula de Escape
    2. Knowledge of HIV and sexually transmitted infections
    3. Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors with regard to family planning


Results

  • 70% of students interviewed said they listened to Válvula de Escape.
  • The show had high appeal among those who listened, with 88% of students indicating they “liked it” or “liked it a lot.”
  • 71% of listeners said what they learned from the program was “useful in their own lives.”
  • Significantly more listeners (93%) compared to non-listeners (72%) correctly indicated that, without an HIV test, “a person can’t tell when another person has HIV.”

    • Listeners were significantly more likely than non-listeners to know how HIV can be transmitted:

      Having sex without a condom: listeners (77%) vs. non-listeners (57%)
      From sharing needles: listeners (58%) vs. non-listeners (24%)
      Through blood transfusions: listeners (63%) vs. non-listeners (32%)
  • Listeners (59%) were significantly more likely than non-listeners (26%) to know that a blood test will not detect HIV infection one week after exposure to the virus.
  • Listeners were significantly more likely than non-listeners to be more knowledgeable about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including knowing symptoms and modes of transmission.
  • Listeners had significantly higher knowledge of various birth control methods, including birth control pills, female condoms, and emergency contraception, than did non-listeners.

    • This entertaining and informational talk show proved to be a highly effective communication tool that provided youth with important information pertaining to HIV awareness and sexual health.

    RELATED LINKS

    Centro de Orientacion para Adolescentes (CORA)

    CONTACT US

    Dra. Anameli Monroy
    Country Representative
    Col. Del Valle, Mexico

    program@populationmedia.org

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