Conhecimentos e atitudes de adolescentes escolares sobre sexo, infecções sexualmente transmissíveis e dupla proteção.

Abstract

Adolescence is a stage between childhood and adulthood, characterized by major changes from physiological changes such as growth and sexual maturation to biopsychosocial. Sexuality then resurfaces, static relational contemporary adolescents, making it important to check what they know and how they think about the issues surrounding sexuality at this stage of life. This study aims to stimulate public teen to adequately meet the methods of assessing the knowledge of these young people, about the theme. Descriptive study with quantitative analysis, comprising a sample of 23 students of a public school elementary and high school located in the backlands of Paraiba, using a questionnaire with open and closed questions, applied during the months from March to May 2012. Among the adolescents studied, the results showed that most are unaware of the location of the clitoris (95.5%) and sexual pleasure assigns the anatomical aspects and gender (89.29%). False beliefs regarding masturbation (90.9%), valuing virginity (54.16%) and the influence of alcohol and other drugs in increasing sexual desire (52.38%) also appeared in the results. As for the forms of contagion of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) known by them, vaginal sex was cited in 78.25% of the responses, use of towel (60.86%) and bathroom (21.73%). About the devices for the prevention of STIs, cited condom (60.86%) and oral contraceptives (26.07%), which does not warrant that use of the same is done using a condom and understanding it as double protection. Although adolescents have experienced some adequate knowledge regarding reproductive anatomy and physiology, showed unsatisfactory answers about their attitudes regarding prevention of STIs and unwanted pregnancy, revealing the urgent need for action on sexual orientation, with the main actors and teachers health professionals, which has in its mission to education as a means of disease prevention and health promotion. These results also indicate the need for greater involvement of families, schools and health institutions into actions and programs that result in the expansion of the knowledge and attitudes of these adolescents about sexuality, with consequent adoption of safe practices in sexual and reproductive health in order to warn them against STIs and unwanted pregnancies.