A prevenção de infecções de transmissão sexual por mulheres jovens: um estudo de representações sociais

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze social representations about sexually transmitted infections and prevention practices among young women. This is a descriptive, qualitative study, with theoretical-methodological support from the Theory of Social Representations and the use of complementary structural and procedural approaches. The study was developed in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in public environments, spaces where there was a predominance of young people, and was not limited to an educational or health institution. The study participants were 100 sexually active women, aged 18 to 29 years. For data collection, three instruments were used, including a questionnaire for social characterization, sexual practices and STI prevention, a form for capturing free evocations and a semi-structured interview script. Data were collected at two moments. Initially, the questionnaire and form were administered to the respondents. In the group of 100 women who participated in the first stage, 30 were drawn and invited to participate in the second stage, and responded to the semi-structured interview. After collecting the questionnaire data, they were processed using the software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0; free evocations with the aid of the EVOC software, and in the interviews the lexical content analysis technique was carried out using the Iramuteq software. The social characterization of the women shows that the group was aged between 18-24 years (66%); black skin color (53%); they live with their parents (44%) and work for financial gain (51%). Regarding sexual practices, only 32% reported regular use of condoms during sexual practices; 78% reported a relationship with a permanent partner, but only 18 (23%) always use an external condom. In the analysis of the structure of the representation of the inductive term “STD Prevention”, the elements condoms and health were identified in the possible central nucleus. These possibly central elements seem to indicate that for young women with a heterosexual orientation, STI prevention is a phenomenon represented by the use of condoms and which expresses care for their (sexual) health. In the lexical analysis it is possible to identify that women recognize STIs, the modes of transmission and the prevention of these infections is represented by the use of external condoms, carrying out routine exams and searching for information. In their sexual practices, however, they assumed vulnerable behavior due to their trust in emotional relationships. It is concluded that young women recognize sexually transmitted infections as a health problem, but that they adopt vulnerable behavior in their emotional relationships due to their trust in partners and the experience of asymmetrical gender relationships. Self-confidence, empowerment and adequate information are fundamental aspects that can change this scenario and mitigate the occurrence of STI in the female group