RESUMEN

Although obesity presents a serious health problem in children, parents often underestimate their children's overweight and obesity status. Therefore, scientific literature was systematically screened through PubMed and PsycINFO to demonstrate the psychological, social, and cultural processes that underlie this evaluation bias. A total of 37 papers that focused on research conducted in different geopolitical contexts were taken into account. Furthermore, a lexicometric analysis of the papers' conclusions was performed. The findings showed that education plays a key role in promoting parents' awareness and their realistic recognition of their children's weight. Accordingly, adequate educational support for parents should be implemented in all healthcare policies addressing childhood obesity.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To describe the role of sexual experience based on information and sociocultural contexts for the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission in adolescents. METHODS: A questionnaire was answered by 1,386 middle school students from the state of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, in 2000. The instrument included the following variables: personal characteristics, sexual experience, communication context and knowledge on AIDS, attitudes towards condom use, risk and protective behaviors and feelings. Data analysis comprised statistical description and relational analysis (Chi-square and mean comparison tests). RESULTS: Lack of knowledge about HIV transmission was related to peers as main information source (p<0.05). Steady romantic relationships are the predominant context for sexual relationships with penetration (p<0.001). AIDS protection was associated to three factors: ongoing relationship, number of sexual partners and safe sex (p<0.001). A positive attitude for condom use is favored by talks about sexuality and the intention of condom use (p<0.001). The obstacles to condom use are: having had recent sexual relationships, risk behaviors, inadequate knowledge and dependence of television as an information source (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The practice of safe sex is affected by adolescent's level of information, their attitudes about condom use and fear of the epidemic. Reevaluating prevention through multipliers strategy as well as reappraisal of family as mediators and the use of appropriate materials about Aids for teenagers are recommended.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJETIVO: Descrever o papel da experiência sexual no contexto informativo e sociocultural, para o risco de transmissão do HIV/Aids em adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Aplicou-se um questionário em 1.386 estudantes do ensino médio de Santa Catarina, em 2000. O instrumento considerou as seguintes variáveis: características pessoais, experiência sexual, contexto de comunicação e conhecimento sobre a Aids, atitudes quanto ao uso do preservativo, condutas arriscadas e protetoras, e sentimentos. A análise dos dados envolveu descrição estatística e análise relacional (qui-quadrado e testes de diferenças de médias). RESULTADOS: O desconhecimento da transmissão do HIV esteve relacionado aos amigos como fonte principal de informação (p<0,05). O contexto predominante da relação sexual com penetração foi o namoro (p<0,001). A proteção da Aids esteve associada a três fatores: namoro, quantidade de parceiros e sexo seguro (p<0,001). A atitude favorável ao uso do preservativo foi beneficiada pela conversa sobre sexualidade e a intenção de seu uso (p<0,001). Os obstáculos foram: ter tido relação sexual recentemente, presença de condutas arriscadas, problemas de conhecimento e dependência da televisão como fonte de informação (p<0,005). CONCLUSÕES: A prática do sexo seguro depende do contexto informacional do adolescente, da sua atitude em relação ao preservativo e do seu medo diante da epidemia. Propõe-se rever a estratégia de prevenção por meio de multiplicadores, re-valorizar a família como interlocução e utilizar material informativo apropriado sobre Aids para os adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the role of sexual experience based on information and sociocultural contexts for the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission in adolescents. METHODS: A questionnaire was answered by 1,386 middle school students from the state of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, in 2000. The instrument included the following variables: personal characteristics, sexual experience, communication context and knowledge on AIDS, attitudes towards condom use, risk and protective behaviors and feelings. Data analysis comprised statistical description and relational analysis (Chi-square and mean comparison tests). RESULTS: Lack of knowledge about HIV transmission was related to peers as main information source (p<0.05). Steady romantic relationships are the predominant context for sexual relationships with penetration (p<0.001). AIDS protection was associated to three factors: ongoing relationship, number of sexual partners and safe sex (p<0.001). A positive attitude for condom use is favored by talks about sexuality and the intention of condom use (p<0.001). The obstacles to condom use are: having had recent sexual relationships, risk behaviors, inadequate knowledge and dependence of television as an information source (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The practice of safe sex is affected by adolescent's level of information, their attitudes about condom use and fear of the epidemic. Reevaluating prevention through multipliers strategy as well as reappraisal of family as mediators and the use of appropriate materials about Aids for teenagers are recommended.

Asunto(s)