Educação para saúde e sexualidade: retratos de estudantes universitários

Abstract

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample included 200 university students of physical education course. Objectives: it was characterize sexual profile on aspects related to behaviors and practices, knowledge about contraception and STDs, beliefs and attitudes about prevention methods and information sources about sexuality. Method: We used a self-administered and anonymous questionnaire. The data were collected on February, 2016. Results: 94% of students already began their sexual life; at first sexual relationship, 60.1% were 16 years old or more and 30.9% did not use contraception methods at the time; 77.6% indicated sex under the influence of alcohol, 6.3% reported cases of unwanted pregnancies and 7.4% related STDs cases. The contraceptive method most used by men was the condom and for women the oral contraceptive. Conclusion: although the university students have knowledge about sexual protection methods, they have had sexual risky behaviors. It is necessary to increase investments in sexual education in universities and intensify actions to encourage the sexual prevention and the health promotion.