Assessment of sexual risk behaviors and perception of vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in women, 1999-2012: a population based survey in a medium-sized Brazilian city.
Sexual behavior is a key factor for susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases. An evaluation of the sexual behavior of women at reproductive age was conducted in 1999. A replication of this study aims to evaluate the current situation and identify changes in sexual behavior, 13 years later. This is a population-based cross-sectional study, conducted with 1071 women in Pelotas, Brazil. Compared to the 1999 study, a 14% increase in early sexual debut and an 8% decrease in the non-use of condoms were observed in 2012. The proportion of women who reported anal sex doubled between these periods. There was no trend of increase or decrease in the prevalence of behaviors with distinct patterns being observed for each of them. Reduction of non-use of condoms may be an indicator of the effectiveness of campaigns to promote safe sex. However, the increased prevalence of early sexual debut and anal sex indicates the need for campaigns to continue and to expand their focus, especially among vulnerable groups.
Post Graduation Program in Epidemiology, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: mariliaepi@gmail.com.
Marilia Arndt
MA
Mesenburg
Nutrition Department, Faculty of Nutrition, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
Ludmila Correa
LC
Muniz
Maternal and Child Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
Mariângela Freitas
MF
Silveira
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Behavior; Risk factors; Sexually transmitted diseases; Women