Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2020;42(11):731-738
Adolescence is characterized by significant biological and psychological changes. During this time, the increased production of androgens leads to increased sexual behavior, and this may contribute to early initiation of sexual activity. The objectives of the present cross-sectional study of adolescents enrolled in state schools in the city of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil, were to determine the average age at the first sexual intercourse (sexarche), the average number of sexual partners, and the frequency of contraceptive and condom use. Information on the age at sexarche, number of sexual partners, use of different contraceptive methods, and use of condoms were obtained using a semistructured questionnaire. Quantitative variables are expressed as means and standard deviations (SDs), and qualitative variables as absolute and relative frequencies. The chi-squared test was used for comparisons of qualitative variables, and the Student t-test for comparisons of continuous variables. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS (version 9.4, North Carolina State University, USA). We evaluated 202 students who answered the questionnaire, 69 males (36.36%) and 133 females (63.64%). The age at sexarche for men ranged from 7 to 18 years old, and for women from 7 to 17 years old. Forty-eight girls (36.01%) and 21 boys (30.43%) were in the first year of high school, 66.94% of adolescents reported sexual intercourse, and 56.25% used a condom during the first sexual intercourse. A total of 36.72% of students said they had safe sex most of the time, and 83.59% said that the first sexual intercourse happened because they “had a crush on” the other person.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(10):486-491
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005347
To determine adherence to dual contraception using depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and condom among HIV-infected women.
A cross-sectional study carried out from December 2013 to September 2014 at a local reference center, with application of questionnaire elaborated after Delphi panel and content validation to 114 HIV(+) women aged 15 to 49 years, using DMPA plus condom for contraception.
Mean age was 33.2±7.2 years, mean time since HIV detection was 8.1±5.2 years, mean time of antiretroviral use was 6.8±5 years and mean CD4 cells/mm count was 737.6±341.1. Sexual HIV acquisition was reported by 98.2% (112/114), antiretroviral use by 85.9% (98/114), and 77.7% (84/114) had a CD4>500/mm count. Having a single sex partner was reported by 78.9% (90/114), with HIV serodiscordance in 41.2% (47/114) of couples, 21.9% did not know the serological status of their partner and in 37.7% of cases (43/114) the partner was unaware of the HIV(+) status of the woman. The last pregnancy was unplanned in 71.9% of cases (82/114) and 14.9% of the women had become pregnant the year before, with pregnancy being unplanned in 70.5% (12/17) of cases. Current use of DMPA was reported by 64.9% (74/114), with genital bleeding in 48.2% (55/114) and weight gain in 67.5% (77/114). Use of a male condom was reported by 62.2% of the subjects (71/114). Three reported that they always used a female condom and ten that they eventually used it. Unprotected vaginal sex was reported by 37.7% (43/114) and unprotected anal intercourse was reported by 32.4% (37/114). Partner resistance to use a condom occurred in 30.7% of cases (35/114). Dual contraception using DMPA with condom was reported by 42.9% (49/114). A partner who resisted wearing a condom was associated with poor adhesion (PR=0.3; 95%CI 0.2-0.7; p<0.001). A partner who was unaware that a woman was infected with HIV favored adherence (PR=1.8; 95%CI 1.2-2.7; p=0.013).
The percentage of dual contraception using DMPA plus condom was 42.9%, maintaining unplanned pregnancies and unprotected sex. Resistance of partners to use a condom increased three times the chance of a woman not adhering to dual contraception, and the partner not knowing women's HIV infection almost doubled the chance to adhere to safe contraception. Goals: to offer new hormonal contraceptives and to involve the partners in contraception and serologic detection tests.