The Impact of Sex Education among Brazilian Adolescents

Abstract

By entering into the reality of public schools in Juiz de Fora (MG), the present study aims to describe the scenario of adolescent’s sexual experience altogether with its risks and consequences, considering previous researches about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) rates among the youth. One particular topic that needs attention is the female context, due to the fact that these diseases often have more severe consequences in women’s bodies, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and cervical cancer. Based on the assumption that well-informed people are more likely to adopt positive and healthy habits for themselves and considering the lack of knowledge on the topic among young Brazilians, schools symbolize an excellent place for having an informational dialogue. Therefore, the objective of the article is to describe the relation between health and education in the aforementioned scenario, from the perspective of the university extension project “Saber Viver”, conducted in the Medicine School at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). It expands the merely preventive methodology centered on biology into a more human approach, compatible with the socio-cultural context of the young audience. The project is also a key tool to guide public health policies that aim at reducing rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).