Práticas de prevenção de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis entre homens jovens universitários

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the knowledge, prevention practices and vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections of young university men. This is a descriptive, qualitative investigation carried out in a public university, located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, with male university students, aged between 18-29 years and sexually active. For data collection, two instruments were used: a questionnaire to characterize the group and a semi-structured interview, having respected all ethical research procedures involving human beings, that is, the research was approved by a Research Ethics Committee and all participants signed the Free and Informed Consent Term as determined by Resolutions 466/2012 and 510/2016. Quantitative data were organized in an Excel 2003 spreadsheet and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The discursive information from the interviews were transcribed and stored in a file in Microsoft Word 2007 software and analyzed using the content analysis technique, in the thematic-category modality. The participants had the following characterization: they were aged between 24-29 years (15); self-reported brown and black skin color (15); lived with their parents (nine); they did not have a boyfriend or partner (16); declared themselves to be homosexuals (10). Regarding sexual practices, they had their first sexual intercourse between the ages of 16 and 20 (19) and used condoms at the time (10). In the analysis of the discursive data, three categories emerged: Category 1 - University men's understanding of sexually transmitted infections; Category 2- Affective relationships and the vulnerability of male university students to Sexually Transmitted Infections; Category 3- STI prevention practices and factors that interfere with the use or not of condoms by university students. In the findings, it can be understood that young university men recognize that STIs are transmitted through the practice of unprotected sex. However, many expressed disuse or discontinued use of condoms, which makes them vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections. The unpredictability of sexual practices, trust in sexual partners in stable relationships and consumption of alcoholic beverages are factors that favor the non-use of condoms. It was also noticed the use of diagnostic tests before and after sexual intercourse and the use of antiretrovirals as practices adopted by the group to replace the use of condoms. The investigated group revealed the search for guidance with professionals in primary care for care and counseling, however this practice is not usual in the male population due to the culture and habits of society. The professionals of the Family Health Strategy have an important role in the guidelines for the health of the population, with a view to preventing diseases for the group of young men.