Study of the sexuality and demand for gynecologic services by high school students in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the sexual and reproductive profile and demand for gynecologic services by high school girls in the city of Rio de Janeiro.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study carried out by administration of a questionnaire filled in by the respondents on their own, given to students at 3 high schools with different socioeconomic profiles: private, state, and federal. The questions covered socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, and demand for gynecologic services. The data were analyzed by the Yates chi-square test and Student t-test, with P < .05.


METHODS
Three high schools in the city of Rio de Janeiro.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Female high school students.


METHODS
Age, race, socioeconomic level, parents' schooling, and sexual activity.


RESULTS
A total of 418 students participated, 122 from a private school, 165 from a state public school, and 131 from a federal public school. The state school students were predominantly black and had the lowest socioeconomic level, with their parents having the fewest average years of schooling. They also reported the most sexual partners, pregnancies, and abortions. Their characteristics differed significantly from those of the private and federal school students, which were similar to each other. The average age of first sexual activity was similar for all the respondents and the first visit to a gynecologist occurred significantly later among the state school students.


CONCLUSIONS
The more frequent pregnancies and abortions by the state school students can be a consequence of the lower demand for or insufficient access to gynecologic services, depriving these students of the necessary care to promote sexual and reproductive health. This demonstrates the need for public policies that promote and facilitate access to routine preventive gynecologic care by low-income adolescent girls.
Charge of the Gynecology Department of Bonsucesso Federal Hospital (HFB)- RJ/Ministry of Health, Brasil. Electronic address: sandramoraispereira@uol.com.br.
Sandra M
SM
Pereira
Stella R
SR
Taquette
Maurício de Andrade
Mde A
Pérez
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D055815:Young Adult
Adolescence; Gynecology; Knowledge; Sexuality