[Use of condoms during sexual intercourse: a population-based study]

Prevalence of unprotected sexual activity in the Brazilian population and associated factors: National Health Survey, 2019

OBJECTIVE

To estimate prevalence of unprotected sexual activity and associated factors in the Brazilian population.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study with 61,523 adults aged 18 years or older who took part in the 2019 National Health Survey. We estimated prevalence of unprotected sexual activity in the last year. We analyzed association of socioeconomic and demographic variables with the outcome using Poisson regression, estimating prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

RESULTS

Prevalence of unprotected sexual activity was 76.9% (95%CI 76.3;77.6), being higher in all the country's regions in comparison to the Northern region, as well as being higher among people living in rural areas (PR = 1.04; 95%CI 1.03;1.06), females (PR = 1.06; 95%CI 1.05;1.08), participants aged 60 years or older (PR = 1.33; 95%CI 1.27;1.38), married individuals (PR = 1.25; 95%CI 1.23;1.27) and those with less education (PR = 1.05; 95%CI 1.03;1.06).

CONCLUSION

Strategies aimed at groups with higher prevalence of unprotected sexual activity are necessary.

Neurosyphilis in Brazilian newborns: a health problem that could be avoided

Syphilis is a public health problem, especially in pregnant women, due to the risk of transmission to the fetus and the involvement of the central nervous system, causing neurosyphilis. A case-control study was carried out to analyze the variables associated with neurosyphilis in Brazilian newborns of pregnant women with syphilis admitted for childbirth. Newborns were submitted to treponemal and non-treponemal tests, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and long bone radiography. Newborns diagnosed with neurosyphilis and congenital syphilis were defined as cases and controls, respectively. The length of hospitalization and mean cost of neurosyphilis treatment were also evaluated. Twenty-one cases of newborns with neurosyphilis and 42 controls with congenital syphilis were included in the study. Out of 63 pregnant women with syphilis, 95.2% (60/63) received prenatal care, 74.6% (47/63) were diagnosed with syphilis during this period, 31.9% (15/47) underwent treponemic tests, 80.8% (38/47) were treated with penicillin and only 46.8% (22/47) of the partners received the treatment. Clinical complications such as low birth weight were observed in 12.7% (8/63) of the newborns. About 50.8% (32/63) of the newborns were hospitalized due to syphilis complications and each case of neurosyphilis spent at least US$ 881.48 on treatment and hospitalization. The results showed that the prenatal coverage is not sufficient to prevent neurosyphilis. The late diagnosis of syphilis in pregnant women and inadequate follow-up of sexual partners may favor the vertical transmission of T. pallidum in pregnant Brazilian women. Thus, improving the quality of health services is important for a more effective control of neurosyphilis.

Social inequalities in the use of contraceptives in adult women from Southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the contraceptive methods used by adult women and the associated socioeconomic and demographic factors.

METHODS:

Population-based cross-sectional study with 20 to 49-year-old women from São Leopoldo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, in 2015. Three outcomes were considered to analyze the association with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics: use of oral contraceptive pills, tubal ligation and male condom. The crude prevalence ratios, stratified by age, and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were obtained using Poisson regression, taking the experimental error into account.

RESULTS:

A total of 736 women, aged from 20 to 49 years old, were evaluated. The prevalence of the use of oral contraceptive pills, tubal ligation and male condom were respectively 31.8% (95%CI 28.4–35.3), 11.1% (95%CI 9.0–13.6) and 10.9% (95%CI 8.7–13.3). In addition, 10.5% (n = 77) of the women reported making combined use of oral contraceptive pills and condom. In the stratified analysis, younger women with lower education level and from lower social classes reported less use of oral contraceptive pills. Tubal ligation was more prevalent among the lower social classes, but only in the age group from 30 to 39 years old. No differences were found in relation to male condom.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results indicated that differences persist in relation to contraception, which can be associated with both the difficulties of access to these inputs and the frailty of actions in reproductive health to achieve the needs and preferences of women who are more socially vulnerable.

Risk factors for syphilis in women: case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the sociodemographic, behavioral, and health care factors related to the occurrence of syphilis in women treated at public maternity hospitals.

METHODS

This is a case-control study (239 cases and 322 controls) with women admitted to seven maternity hospitals in the municipality of Recife, Brazil, from July 2013 to July 2014. Eligible women were recruited after the result of the VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) under any titration. The selection of cases and controls was based on the result of the serology for syphilis using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The independent variables were grouped into: sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical and obstetric history, and health care in prenatal care and maternity hospital. Information was obtained by interview, during hospitalization, with the application of a questionnaire. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using logistic regression to identify the predicting factors of the variable to be explained.

RESULTS

The logistic regression analysis identified as determinant factors for gestational syphilis: education level of incomplete basic education or illiterate (OR = 2.02), lack of access to telephone (OR = 2.4), catholic religion (OR = 1.70 ), four or more pregnancies (OR = 2.2), three or more sexual partners in the last year (OR = 3.1), use of illicit drugs before the age of 18 (OR = 3.0), and use of illicit drugs by the current partner (OR = 1.7). Only one to three prenatal appointments (OR = 3.5) and a previous history of sexually transmitted infection (OR = 9.7) were also identified as determinant factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Sociodemographic, behavioral, and health care factors are associated with the occurrence of syphilis in women and should be taken into account in the elaboration of universal strategies aimed at the prevention and control of syphilis, but with a focus on situations of greater vulnerability.

[Adherence to condom use: the real behavior in the Northeast of Brazil]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the socioeconomic, demographic and cultural elements that interfere in the adherence to the use of condoms in an open population.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted through an explanatory household survey, in the municipality of Caraúbas, West Potiguar mesoregion, with 3 482 individuals older than 18. A Likert questionnaire was administered by community health agents in a household setting. Descriptive statistics were performed, followed by univariate and bivariate analyzes, using the Chi-square test.

RESULTS

The most receptive groups to condom use are the earliest age groups, male subjects, participants who do not have a stable relationship, and those with a higher education level. The association between condom and condom use showed that the more affluent strata represented less condom adoption. The reasons for condom abandonment were the preference for another contraceptive method and the confidence in the partner, and the main reason for its use was prevention against sexually transmitted diseases.

DISCUSSION

Adherence to condom use is scarce in all the groups considered. The popularization of the method must be fostered by individual and collective measures directed to consider the use of condoms for a dual purpose, by expanding information through sex education campaigns and overcoming gender conflicts.

Barriers to prevention of cervical cancer in the city of Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

Identify the related factors with the no adhesion of women in preventive practices of cervical cancer (CC), in a coverage area of a Family Health Team in the city of Porto Velho (Rondônia, Brazil).

METHODS

Descriptive, cross-sectional study held in 2013. It was applied a questionnaire containing questions related to the health belief model (HBM) of the instrument "Champion's Health Belief Model Scale", validated and culturally adapted to Brazil, to 286 women.

RESULTS

87.7% of women state that they have been submitted to prevention of CC; Regarding the parameters of the HBM, it was found that 74.5% of the women had low scores for the perception of susceptibility to the disease; equal percentage of women had an moderate perception of severity; 52.8% have an moderate perception of the benefits gained from the examination of prevention; and 51.4% have moderate perception of barriers to perform the same test.

CONCLUSION

the process involving the prevention of CC involves the supply of services and availability of skilled professionals. However, the adoption of preventive behavior depends not only on external factors, but also own subjective factors to women.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of condom use by women of an impoverished urban area

OBJECTIVE Assessing the adequacy of knowledge, attitude and practice of women regarding male and female condoms as STI/HIV preventive measures. METHOD An evaluative Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) household survey with a quantitative approach, involving 300 women. Data collection took place between June and August 2013, in an informal urban settlement within the municipality of João Pessoa, Paraiba, Northeast Brazil. RESULTS Regarding the male condom, most women showed inadequate knowledge and practice, and an adequate attitude. Regarding the female condom, knowledge, attitude and practice variables were unsatisfactory. Significant associations between knowledge/religious orientation and attitude/education regarding the male condom were observed. CONCLUSION A multidisciplinary team should be committed to the development of educational practices as care promotion tools in order to improve adherence of condom use.

Condicionantes sociodemográficos e sexuais do conhecimento, atitude e prática de presidiárias quanto ao uso de preservativos

Objetivou-se avaliar o conhecimento, a atitude e a prática de presidiárias quanto ao uso do preservativo masculino e feminino, como medida preventiva às DSTs/HIV e suas relações com aspectos sociodemográficos e sexuais. Pesquisa quantitativa, avaliativa, do tipo Inquérito Conhecimento, Atitude e Prática, envolvendo 155 presidiárias. A coleta de dados realizou-se de janeiro a março de 2010 na penitenciária feminina do Estado do Ceará. Das mulheres investigadas, 35 (22,6%) tinham conhecimento adequado sobre o preservativo masculino e 11 (7,1%) sobre o feminino. As atitudes foram menos favoráveis quanto ao uso no sexo oral. A prática adequada apresentou baixa ocorrência, em especial do preservativo feminino. A atitude associou-se com a idade e a idade da coitarca, enquanto que a prática adequada associou-se com história de prostituição. Conclui-se que as estratégias de promoção da saúde sexual em ambiente prisional devem englobar a complexidade dos aspectos envolvidos no uso dos preservativos.

Conhecimento sobre HIV/AIDS de participantes de um grupo de idosos, em Anápolis-Goiás

OBJETIVO: identificar o conhecimento sobre a infecção pelo HIV/AIDS, dos participantes do Centro de Convivência do Idoso (CCI) em Anápolis, Goiás. MÉTODO: foram entrevistados 224 idosos participantes do CCI, sendo coletados dados sociodemográficos e comportamentais, e dados referentes às formas de transmissão do HIV. RESULTADO: houve predominância do sexofeminino, de baixa escolaridade, baixa renda familiar e cor branca. Quase a metade dos idosos relatou vida sexual ativa. Desses, a maioria não faz uso de preservativo (67%). Apesar de a maioria ter conhecimento sobre as formas de transmissão, ainda acredita que picada de mosquito (79,9%), compartilhamento de sabonetes e toalhas (62,1%), talheres, copos e pratos (62,3%) podem transmitir o vírus. CONCLUSÕES: constatou-se que, apesar do bom nível de conhecimento demonstrado pelos participantes, ainda persistem dúvidas quanto às formas de transmissão, demonstrando a necessidade de investimentos públicos na educação que resulta em aumento do conhecimento e redução dos riscos.

Características reprodutivas e utilização de serviços preventivos em saúde por mulheres em idade fértil: resultados de dois estudos transversais de base populacional no extremo Sul do Brasil

Em 1995 e 2004 foram realizados dois estudos transversais representativos com mulheres de 15 a 49 anos em Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, visando avaliar alguns indicadores básicos de saúde. A amostra incluiu 1.339 mulheres em 1995 e 1.311 em 2004. Aplicou-se questionário padronizado no domicílio investigando sobre características demográficas, sócio-econômicas, reprodutivas e utilização de serviços preventivos de saúde. A análise consistiu em comparar estes indicadores nos dois estudos pelo teste do qui-quadrado. Observou-se melhoria nas condições de habitação, saneamento, escolaridade, mas piora da renda familiar. A idade média de início das atividades sexuais diminuiu, a taxa de gravidez na adolescência aumentou em 33% assim como aumentou a realização de exame citopatológico de colo uterino em 48% e mama em 30%. A utilização de métodos contraceptivos diminuiu 3%, enquanto o uso de preservativos masculinos passou de 8% para 21%. Esforços deveriam ser feitos não somente visando incentivar a realização de exames de mama e citopatológico de colo uterino como também de retardar o início das atividades sexuais e de promover o uso de métodos contraceptivos, especialmente de preservativos.

Behavior, knowledge and perception of risks about sexually transmitted diseases in a group of people over 50 years old

The goal was to analyze the behavior, knowledge and risk perception about sexually transmitted diseases / AIDS (STD/AIDS) in people over 50 years old. 165 public servants at a State Secretary in Mato Grosso, Brazil were interviewed. The chi-square test and logistic regression tests were used for the analysis of risk perception and the behavior and knowledge variables about STD/AIDS. Most of the respondents were female (60.6%), 63.2 had a fixed partner, 72.4% had sexual relations in the past six months, and only 13.3% always wore condoms, with 21.5% being male and 8% female. Perception of risk was associated with non-use of condoms in their last sexual relation (p<0.001) and answering that anyone may acquire a STD/AIDS (p=0.039). The challenge of public policies is to increase actions, directing them to promote the health of the adult and elderly populations, especially regarding sexuality and vulnerability to STD/AIDS.

Relações de gênero e vulnerabilidade às doenças sexualmente transmissíveis: percepções sobre a sexualidade dos adolescentes

As questões de gênero são primordiais para o entendimento das relações de poder na sociedade, inclusive na sexualidade. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo é analisar a influência das relações de gênero no contexto dos adolescentes e as diferentes percepções dos gêneros quanto à vulnerabilidade às doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. Trata de uma abordagem qualitativa realizada a partir da técnica de grupo focal com adolescentes de Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. Percebeu-se pelo diálogo com os adolescentes, que a rede social não se sente responsabilizada pela vulnerabilidade em que os jovens se encontram. Os adolescentes do grupo focal masculino sentiram necessidade de apresentarem-se livres para expressarem seus desejos sexuais, detentores do comando na relação conjugal, e as adolescentes reproduziram a condição atual de submissão feminina aos desejos masculinos. Ambos os grupos encontraram-se vulneráveis às doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. Todo formato de sociedade contribui para a permanência de paradigmas que englobam a sexualidade.