Variables psicológicas como predictores de conductas de prevención relacionadas con la infección por VIH

fundament: a cross-sectional study was carried out with the main objective to identify if psychological variables including knowledge, belief, and motivation predicted two prevention behaviors related to hiv infection: ？to postpone a sexual intercourse？ and ？condom use intention？. method: from an original sample of 648 students of two institutions located in hermosillo, mexico, we worked with a subsample of 328 students whom reported no sexual experience. for data analysis descriptive statistics, the pearson's x2 and a logistic regression analysis were used. results: the pearson's x2 showed significant differences in both behaviors: those who have the opportunity to involve in a sexual relationship and they avoid it (x2 [2]=45.378; p=0.000), as well as those who have condom use intention (x2 [2]=235.622; p=0.000). the logistic regression analysis revealed that one type of motivation predicted the behavior to avoid a sexual relationship with penetration (x2 [9]=33.805; p=0.000), if well another type of motivation predicted the behavior condom use intention (x2 [8]=18.069; p=0.021). conclusions: the role of the variable motivation in the prevention of hiv infection programs is discussed.