Bioecological systems and elements that make adolescents vulnerable to sexually transmissible infections

Abstract

Objective: to understand the elements that constitute the Bioecological Model and the situations of vulnerability regarding the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS from the perspective of adolescents. Method: a descriptive-exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, carried out between October and December 2015 with ten adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age registered in the socio-educational workshops of a non-governmental organization located in a municipality in the Western region of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Information was collected from the medical records of the adolescents and through Caroline Wang´s Photovoice strategy. Hermeneutics was used for the analysis of the information with the support of the theoretical reference of the Bioecological Model of Human Development and vulnerability. Results: bioecological systems in adolescents provide the means to learn and acquire knowledge about sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS, however there are elements in these systems that collaborate with the individual, social and programmatic vulnerabilities involved in the prevention of these diseases. Conclusion: The importance of empowering the family in relation to sexual education of their children is highlighted as a way to reduce the vulnerability of adolescents to sexually transmitted diseases /HIV/AIDS. It also highlights the need to create physical spaces of care directed at adolescent health which receive adolescents and provide opportunities to be listened to and to provide dialogue between them and the health professionals. It is considered that the study highlights important points that can be included in adolescent health care strategies from the perspective of vulnerabilities and the bioecological systems in which they live.