Information needs of young Italians accessing the AIDS/STI Helpline at the Italian National Institute of Health

Abstract

Introduction: HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STI) have a relevant impact on health and sexual behavior of adolescents and young adults (range of age between 13 and 19 years). The AIDS and sexual transmitted infections (STI) Helpline of the Italian Istituto Superiore di Sanità (National Institute of Health), and also funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, has been active since 1987 providing personalized counselling interventions on HIV/AIDS and STI.

Aim and methods: The present study gathered data and questions issues from calls at AIDS/STI Helpline in the period 1987-2014, with the specific aim of assessing the level of awareness and information needs on HIV/AIDS and STI among people aged under 25 years, in relation to potential risky behavior.

Results: Data show that young subjects who called the helpline in the period considered are about the 26% of the total users, with a decreasing trend over the years. The 28% of young users reported a "risky behavior" for STI, with a chance statistically higher in the age range 15-19 years and in the MSM (men who have sex with men)/bisexuals users, which tended to decrease in the last years. Of note, a marked increase of the amount of young users not displaying behaviors at risk for HIV or STI has been observed in the years.