Percepções de adolescentes escolares acerca de uma ação educativa para promoção da saúde sexual

Abstract

Adolescence is a life period marked by conflicts, modifications and discoveries, one of which is the first sexual intercourse, activity generally conducted precociously and usually without orientation and protection. This has resulted in increased vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases and undesired pregnancy, cases that continue to be on the increase despite the existing health policies for adolescent health and the educational strategies on sexual health. In this study an active educational strategy on sexual health was implemented using a thematic game. The study was based on the need for educational strategies that link information to reflection, thus integrating knowledge to reality enabling the adolescent to be an active participant in the promotion of own sexual health, and in the permanent process of autonomy and learning, essential elements for decision making. The objectives were: To analyze the perceptions of adolescents regarding their experience in a participative educational action about sexual health, and to identify the adolescents´ knowledge regarding behaviors related to their sexual health as they participate in a participative educational strategy. Descriptive qualitative study conducted in public high school located in Natal, RN. The study is part of a larger research that proposes to create, implement and evaluate actions to promote health in adolescents at school, approved by the Ethics and Research Committee, with an opinion nº 2,326,957 and CAEE 73721217.8.0000.5537. The population was composed of 122 enrolled adolescents, in average of 15 year of age. The educational activity was conducted in April and May 2018, in four sessions of 50 minutes duration. The sessions were used to identify the previous knowledge of sexual education, to implement round group discussions, and to apply the sexual health educational game. Data were collected by a semi-structured questionnaire, open discussions in the round group discussions, comments during the game sessions, and direct non-participative observations. Bardin´s thematic content analysis techniques were used to categorize the data. The thematic categories formed were: Interest in themes and methodology; Desire for continuation of activity; Activity as a participative class and open environment for dialogue; Importance of the educational activity in health; Knowledge constructed and positive life results; Lack of dialogue in the. It is concluded that educational activities on sexual health with adolescents using active methodologies and educational games, incite interest and promote active participation of the students, also enable learning and reflection about health issues. This study seeks to contribute to strengthening of public health policy in adolescent health and for clinical thinking by nurses in the school context.