Adolescentes do sexo feminino estão sob risco significativo para doenças sexualmente transmitidas (DST) e podem não incorporar indicadores de risco com precisão na percepção de sua suscetibilidade individual a estas doenças. Com os objetivos de: (1) examinar a relação entre a suscetibilidade percebida e indicadores de risco; e (2) investigar a relação entre a suscetibilidade percebida e o diagnóstico de uma DST presente, pesquisadores dos Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dos Estados Unidos avaliaram 209 adolescentes sexualmente ativas. Neste estudo, publicado esta semana na revista Sexually Transmitted Infections, foram contabilizadas as infecções por clamídia e gonorréia no momento da avaliação inicial, e após 6 e 12 meses. Os autores do estudo concluíram que as adolescentes, nesta amostra, não perceberam a sua real suscetibilidade para adquirir uma DST. Elas deveriam ser mais bem capacitadas a avaliar mais efetivamente e modificar o seu risco para contrair DSTs.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Adolescent women underestimate their susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections
K A Ethier1, T Kershaw2, L Niccolai2, J B Lewis2 and J R Ickovics2
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of STD Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, USA
2 Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
Correspondence to:
Kathleen A Ethier, Ph.D., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, Division of STD Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road., NE, MS-E44, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA;
kbe0@cdc.gov
Objectives: Adolescent females are at significant risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and may not accurately incorporate indicators of risk into their perceptions of susceptibility. The objectives of the current analyses were to: (1) examine the relation between perceived susceptibility and indicators of risk; and (2) investigate the relation between perceived susceptibility and actual STI diagnosis.
Methods: Participants were 209 sexually active adolescent females. Indicators of STI risk included STI history, recent symptoms, and sexual risk behaviour (that is, recent unprotected sex and numbers of sexual partners). Chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection were assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 months post-baseline using urine based ligase chain reaction testing.
Results: Most participants perceived little or no chance that they would be diagnosed with an STI in the following year. There was no relation between almost all STI indicators and perceptions of susceptibility. Among those receiving a positive chlamydia or gonorrhoea test (n=49) at baseline or in the year following, almost all (81.3%) had perceived themselves to be at little or no risk.
Conclusion: The adolescent females in this sample did not accurately perceive their susceptibility to STI. They must be enabled to more effectively assess and modify their risk.
Keywords: adolescent health; sexual health; STD prevention; women
