Abstract
This study assessed the main determinants of sexual and reproductive health of Brazilian youth. It was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medicine Faculty of the University of Brasília, and it received support from Paho and Brazilian Ministry of Health. 1.208 youngsters (18 to 29 years old) in 15 states and Federal District were interviewed at their residences, during the second semester of 2011. Margin of error, adjusted regional and nationally, was 2.8% (CI: 95%), regarding the assessed sample. A KAP scale (knowledge, attitudes, and practices) with 17 questions (-17 to +17 points) was generated. A questionnaire was pre-tested for consistency and validity analysis was performed. KAP scale was used as dependent variable in adjusted linear regression models. Mean KAP score was 5.65 points. Gaps in KAP were: 70% of the youth do not know when the fertility period of a woman is. 42% of youth do not recognize condoms as a method to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STDs. The main factors associated to explaining variances in KAP are gender, education, religion, access to health services, having had sexual intercourse in the last 12 months, and having friends as the main personal reference (p < 0.05). Youngsters with higher education, women, non-Protestant, who claim to know where to find health services have better KAP level of reproductive health. Studies are necessary to support public policies that increase the KAP levels in sexual and reproductive health of the most vulnerable groups, such as the segment comprising low education, men and Protestants.
Highlights
According to the Programme of Action of the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (Organização das Nações Unidas [ONU], 1994) that took place in the city of Cairo, Reproductive Health is defined as the state of physical, mental and social welfare in all aspects of the experience of sexuality and the rightsActa Scientiarum
The concept is understood by the Ministry of Health as a right of youngsters, including: access to information, means and techniques related to conception or contraception; the right to decide, with freedom and responsibility, to have children or not; how many children, and when, they want to Maringá, v. 38, n. 2, p. 211-218, July-Dec., 2016 have; and the right to exercise their sexuality and reproduction, free from prejudice, imposition and violence (Brasil, 2013)
[...] the death of a woman occurred during pregnancy, abortion, childbirth or up to 42 days after it, regardless of pregnancy length or location, due to causes related to or aggravated by pregnancy, or by measures taken in relation to it (Brasil, 2012, p. 14)
Summary
According to the Programme of Action of the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (Organização das Nações Unidas [ONU], 1994) that took place in the city of Cairo, Reproductive Health is defined as the state of physical, mental and social welfare in all aspects of the experience of sexuality and the rightsActa Scientiarum. The concept is understood by the Ministry of Health as a right of youngsters, including: access to information, means and techniques related to conception or contraception; the right to decide, with freedom and responsibility, to have children or not; how many children, and when, they want to Maringá, v. It is known that the lack of accurate information contributes, in Brazil, to the high number of abortions and maternal mortality. By Maternal Mortality is understood [...] the death of a woman occurred during pregnancy, abortion, childbirth or up to 42 days after it, regardless of pregnancy length or location, due to causes related to or aggravated by pregnancy, or by measures taken in relation to it By Maternal Mortality is understood [...] the death of a woman occurred during pregnancy, abortion, childbirth or up to 42 days after it, regardless of pregnancy length or location, due to causes related to or aggravated by pregnancy, or by measures taken in relation to it (Brasil, 2012, p. 14)
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