artigo cientifico

NOTA RESEARCH NOTE

O conhecimento sobre doenças sexualmente transmissíveis entre adolescentes de baixa renda em Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil
Knowledge on sexually transmitted diseases among low-income adolescents in Ribeirão
Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil

Daniella Tech Doreto 1
Elisabeth Meloni Vieira 1

1 Faculdade de Medicina de
Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto,
Brasil.

Correspondência
E. M. Vieira
Departamento de Medicina
Social, Faculdade de
Medicina de Ribeirão Preto,
Universidade de São Paulo.
Av. dos Bandeirantes 3900,
Ribeirão Preto, SP
14049-900, Brasil. [e-mail] Abstract

Introdução

This study examined female adolescents’ knowledge concerning STDs and transmission, condom use, and health care. It was a cross-sectional study of 90 adolescents living in an area covered by the Family Health Program in Ribeirão Preto,
São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected through household interviews using a structured questionnaire, followed by preliminary analysis of simple frequency of variables. Most adolescents were single, sexually active, and with limited knowledge concerning STDs. Condoms were known as the main means of prevention, but only 35.2% of the sample reported always using them. There was a large drop in condom use
(from 71.1% to 37.1%) when comparing the first versus the most recent sexual intercourse. Teenagers did not consider themselves at risk of STDs
(65.5%), although 57.8% reported related symptoms and 36.7% had never undergone gynecological examination. The results point to the need for special attention to adolescent health care. The lack of effective protection makes them vulnerable to STDs, including HIV/AIDS, even though they do not consider themselves at risk.

As mudanças ocorridas nas últimas décadas têm alterado o perfil das doenças sexualmente transmissíveis (DST), transformando seu controle em um problema de saúde pública, não apenas por
sua