Montserrat Planes Pedra

PREVENTION OF SEXUAL TRANSMISSION OF AIDS VIRUS: STRATEGIES TO INCREASE CONDOM USE

ABSTRACT

Condom use by young people is the most recommended preventive sexual method because, unlike other methods, it simultaneously protects against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.

For a long time it has been quite common for programs to promote condom use to emphasize the dangers of not using condoms, rather than the benefits of using them.

Fortunately, both approaches can be combined and models can be proposed in which condom use by young people depends on both the perceived disadvantages and advantages associated with condom use.

A good number of advantages associated with condom use have now been identified, as well as disadvantages, which make it possible to examine the extent to which they are valued by young people. The results of these evaluations help us to detect erroneous beliefs and distorted perceptions, which can be modified by training programs. Such programs address knowledge, attitudes and skills, since sometimes a perception can be influenced by all three factors. In general, changes in perceptions, especially in the case of advantages, have a great influence on increasing condom use.

On the other hand, some advantages and disadvantages are evaluated differently according to age and gender. The evaluations also change depending on whether the sexual relationship is with an intimate partner or an occasional one.

In the workshop we will examine the different types of beliefs and perceptions and how to evaluate them, as well as the strategies and programs that can help to modify them in the desired direction.

BIOGRAPHY

Monserrat Planes is PhD from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. She is a Professor at the Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment at the Universidad de Girona since 1994. From 2008 to 2016, she coordinated the Centre of Research about Quality of Life from the University of Girona (Institut de Recerca sobre Qualitat de Vida de la Universitat de Girona). Additionally, since 1995, she has coordinated several masters and postgraduate courses in Clinical and Health Psychology. Her main research interests focus on health risk behaviours and, particularly, on sexual risk prevention since 1998. 

Her research experience includes more than 35 scientific articles in prestigious academic journals (nationally and internationally), more than 5 chapters and 60 communications in national and international conferences. She has supervised two doctoral thesis and four pre-doctoral thesis about sexual risk prevention.