ABSTRACT
Objective
To determine the association between not using the male condom and alcohol consumption in adolescents and schoolchildren.
Methods
An epidemiological study, with a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlation design carried out from March to July 2014. The sample consisted of students in public primary and secondary education, aged between 12 and 24 years. The social and demographic survey and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire were used.
Results
The study included 1,275 students, of these; 37.0% reported having had sexual relations. The prevalent age of sexual initiation was 14-16 years 55.7% and 65.6% used condom in the last sexual intercourse. Regarding the lack of condom use at the last intercourse, girls showed an association with drunkenness in the previous 30 days (2.19; 95%CI: 1.06-4.54).
Conclusion
In females, the non-use of condoms was associated with drunkenness in the previous 30 days.
Risk-taking; Alcoholism; Binge drinking; Contraception; Sexual behavior
RESUMO
Objetivo
Identificar os fatores associados ao não uso de preservativo masculino e ao consumo de bebida alcoólica em adolescentes e jovens escolares.
Métodos
Estudo epidemiológico, com delineamento transversal, descritivo e correlacional, desenvolvido de março a julho de 2014. A amostra foi composta por estudantes dos Ensinos Fundamental e Médio da rede pública estadual, com idades entre 12 e 24 anos. Empregaram-se o inquérito sociodemográfico e o questionário Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
Resultados
Foram incluídos 1.275 estudantes; 37,0% deles relataram terem tido relação sexual. A idade prevalente de iniciação sexual foi de 14 a 16 anos, com 55,7%; 65,6% usaram preservativo na última relação. Com relação ao não uso de preservativo na última relação, as meninas apresentaram associação com bebedeira nos últimos 30 dias (2,19; IC95%: 1,06-4,54).
Conclusão
O não uso de preservativos esteve associado com bebedeira nos últimos 30 dias nas meninas.
Assunção de riscos; Alcoolismo; Bebedeira; Anticoncepção; Comportamento sexual
INTRODUCTION
Risky sexual behavior is pointed out as a consequence of unprotected sex.(11. Kalina O, Geckova AM, Klein D, Jarcuska P, Orosova O, van Dijk JP, et al. Psychosocial factors associated with sexual behaviour in early adolescence. Eur J Contracept Reprod Heal Care. 2011;16(4):298-306.)The male condom is the most well-known contraceptive method among adolescents,(22. Duarte CD, Holanda LB, Medeiros ML. Avaliação de conhecimento contraceptivo entre adolescentes grávidas em uma unidade básica de saúde do Distrito Federal. J Heal Sci Inst. 2012;30:140-3.)and has shown, over the last years, greater distribution and an increase in its use as a result of different forms of intervention directed at this population.(33. Texeira AM, Knauth DR, Fachel JM, Leal AF. [Teenagers and condom use: choices by young Brazilians from three Brazilian State capitals in their first and last sexual int]. Cad Saude Publica. 2006;22(7):1385-96. Portuguese. Erratum in: Cad Saude Publica. 2006;22(9):2003-4.)
Nevertheless, its use is still variable along the course of the amorous and sexual life of each individual.(33. Texeira AM, Knauth DR, Fachel JM, Leal AF. [Teenagers and condom use: choices by young Brazilians from three Brazilian State capitals in their first and last sexual int]. Cad Saude Publica. 2006;22(7):1385-96. Portuguese. Erratum in: Cad Saude Publica. 2006;22(9):2003-4.) Despite the fact that many adolescents report its use, a large portion of this population still exhibits a behavior that causes concerns.(44. Oliveira-Campos M, Nunes ML, Madeira FD, Santos MG, Bregmann SR, Malta DC, et al. Comportamento sexual em adolescentes brasileiros, Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE 2012). Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2041;17 Suppl 1:116-30.) Data from the National Health Survey of Students [Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar] (PeNSE) reveals that one in every five adolescents states not having used a male condom during their last sexual intercourse. Therefore they are more vulnerable to the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), AIDS, and/or early pregnancy/parenthood.(44. Oliveira-Campos M, Nunes ML, Madeira FD, Santos MG, Bregmann SR, Malta DC, et al. Comportamento sexual em adolescentes brasileiros, Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE 2012). Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2041;17 Suppl 1:116-30.)
Yet, the use of the male contraceptive among Brazilian adolescents is still more common among boys than girls during their first intercourse,(55. Paiva V, Calazans G, Venturi G, Dias R; Grupo de Estudos em População, Sexualidade e Aids. [Age and condom use at fi rst sexual intercourse of Brazilian adolescents]. Rev Saude Publica. 2008;42 Suppl 1:45-53. Portuguese.) a situation that is repeated when the latest sexual encounter is analyzed.(66. Sanchez ZM, Nappo SA, Cruz JI, Carlini EA, Carlini CM, Martins SS. Sexual behavior among high school students in Brazil: alcohol consumption and legal and illegal drug use associated with unprotected sex. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013; 68(4):489-94.) This unsafe behavior is the most prevalent condition among the girls and the students who attend public schools. Some factors, such as advanced age, low socioeconomic condition,(66. Sanchez ZM, Nappo SA, Cruz JI, Carlini EA, Carlini CM, Martins SS. Sexual behavior among high school students in Brazil: alcohol consumption and legal and illegal drug use associated with unprotected sex. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013; 68(4):489-94.)not receiving information on sexual and reproductive health at school,(44. Oliveira-Campos M, Nunes ML, Madeira FD, Santos MG, Bregmann SR, Malta DC, et al. Comportamento sexual em adolescentes brasileiros, Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE 2012). Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2041;17 Suppl 1:116-30.) and low level of maternal schooling are associated with unprotected sex.(77. Cruzeiro AL, Souza LD, Silva RA, Pinheiro RT, Rocha CL, Horta BL. [Sexual risk behavior: factors associated to the number of sexual partners and condom use in adolescents]. Cien Saude Coletiva. 2010;15 Suppl 1:1149-58. Portuguese.)
The adoption of unhealthy habits, such as unprotected sex and the excessive consumption of alcohol, academic problems, substance abuse, and delinquent behavior are associated with the initiation at an early age of alcoholic beverages.(88. Malta DC, Mascarenhas MD, Porto DL, Barreto SM, Morais Neto OL. [Exposure to alcohol among adolescent students and associated factors]. Rev Saude Publica. 2014;48(1):52-62. Portuguese.,99. Ellickson PL, Tucker JS, Klein DJ. Ten-year prospective study of public health problems associated with early drinking. Pediatrics. 2003;111(5 Pt 1):949-55.) The consumption of alcohol has been associated as a means to reach pleasure, beauty, financial and sexual success. In face of the image sold by advertising, adolescents believe the alcoholic beverage commercials to be true, and seek similarity in situations in their own lives, characterizing a significant risk factor for its abusive consumption.(1010. Faria R, Vendrame A, Silva R, Pinsky I. Association between alcohol advertising and beer drinking. Rev Saude Publica. 2011;45(3):441-7.)In this way, currently, the incentive and permissiveness as to alcohol consumption is made evident by the advertising market.(1111. Pedrosa AA, Camacho LA, Passos SR, Oliveira Rde V. [Alcohol consumption by university students]. Cad Saude Publica. 2011;27(8):1611-21. Portuguese.)
In Brazil, the studies that cover the use of the male condom and the consumption of alcohol are mostly carried out with samples from large cities, and this theme is rarely studied with a focus on the population from the interior of the country. Additionally, there are numerous negative repercussions as to what these behaviors can cause in the lives of the adolescents and youth. Thus, it is believed that information that covers other regions might contribute towards the identification of risk groups and patterns, enabling monitoring of the health levels of adolescents and youth with the purpose of creating targeted programs and policies of health promotion.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the factors associated with the nonuse of the male condom and to the consumption of alcoholic beverages in school-aged adolescents and young person.
METHODS
This is a school-based epidemiological study, with a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design, which was conducted in state-owned Primary and Secondary Education schools, situated in the city of Petrolina (PE), during the period from March to July, 2014. The population studied was made up of students - adolescents (12 to 19 years) and youth (15 to 24 years). A population of 25,635 students of public Primary and Secondary Education of Petrolina (PE) was considered.
The distribution of schools was made according to their size to guarantee proportional samples. Thus, they were classified into three size categories: small (less than 200 students), medium (200 to 499 students), and large (500 students or more). The students enrolled in the morning and afternoon periods were grouped into a single category (daytime students). For the sample selection, simple random sampling was used by conglomerates in two stages, in which “school” and the “group” represented the sample units, respectively, for the first and second phases. All 29 urban state-owned schools in Petrolina (PE) were considered eligible for inclusion in the study. Initially, a drawing was done of the schools according to size. School randomization was performed using the WINPEPI software. After all steps, nine Primary and Secondary Education schools were selected, which represented 31.03% of the state school system of the city of Petrolina (PE).
For quantification of the minimum sample, the WINPEPI software was used, considering a population of 25,635 students, with a 95%CI, a maximal tolerable error of 4%, and sample loss of 20%, and since it was a study covering the analysis of different risk behaviors (nonuse of the male condom and alcohol consumption) with varied frequencies of occurrence, the estimated prevalence used was 50%, totaling the quantity of 474 adolescents. Multiplication of the minimal size of the sample was made by 2.0 (sample outline effect), totaling 948 adolescents, but the final sample was made up of 1,326 adolescents. All students of the groups selected that satisfied the criteria for inclusion were invited to participate in the study.
The inclusion criteria were be characterized as an adolescent or youth, as per the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO) from both genders; know how to read and write in Portuguese; be duly enrolled in an institution located in the urban zone of the city of Petrolina; and not present with neurological pathologies or alterations in physical condition that would impede the completion of the data collection instrument. The study excluded adolescents that did not inform their gender or age on the questionnaire, as well as those that did not correctly fill in the answers to the questions.
The term “drunkenness” was defined as the ingestion of five or more doses of alcoholic beverage on one occasion.(66. Sanchez ZM, Nappo SA, Cruz JI, Carlini EA, Carlini CM, Martins SS. Sexual behavior among high school students in Brazil: alcohol consumption and legal and illegal drug use associated with unprotected sex. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013; 68(4):489-94.,1212. Agius P, Taft A, Hemphill S, Toumbourou J, McMorris B. Excessive alcohol use and its association with risky sexual behaviour: a cross-sectional analysis of data from Victorian secondary school students. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2013;37(1):76-82.,1313. Zarzar PM, Jorge KO, Oksanen T, Vale MP, Ferreira EF, Kawachi I. Association between binge drinking, type of friends and gender: a cross-sectional study among Brazilian adolescents. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:257.) The type of alcohol beverage user was classified in the following manner: nonuser (has not drunk an alcoholic beverage at any moment in his/her life); new user/experimentation (if the person drank one to 19 days in his/her life); moderate user (if the person drank on 20 to 99 days), and heavy user (100 or more days of ingestion of an alcoholic beverage in his/her life).(1313. Zarzar PM, Jorge KO, Oksanen T, Vale MP, Ferreira EF, Kawachi I. Association between binge drinking, type of friends and gender: a cross-sectional study among Brazilian adolescents. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:257.)
Data collection instruments
For data collection, two instruments were used: 1) the socioeconomic survey, established by means of a self-applied structured questionnaire based on the criteria of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), which had questions related to social and demographic (marital status, religion, having children, level of schooling of the mother and father) and economic aspects (monthly family income in terms of minimum wages) nature; and 2) the questionnaire on risk behaviors Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), comprising 87 questions covering six categories that contribute towards triggering morbidities, mortality, and social problems among young people. Various studies have demonstrated that this is a valid and reliable instrument,(1414. Moore MJ, Barr EM, Johnson TM. Sexual behaviors of middle school students: 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey results from 16 locations. J Sch Health. 2013; 83(1):61-8.) and the validation of the Brazilian version was made by Guedes et al.(1515. Guedes DP, Lopes CC. Validação da versão brasileira do Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2007. Rev Saude Publica. 2010;44(5):840–50.)
In this study, the domains related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages and sexual behavior, composed by questions 38 to 43, and 57 to 64, respectively, were used for the analysis. The values of the Kappa agreement index for the two domains varied from moderate to substantial, with values between 49.4 and 66.7 for consumption of alcoholic beverages, and excellent, with values between 81 and 95.6 for sexual behavior.(1515. Guedes DP, Lopes CC. Validação da versão brasileira do Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2007. Rev Saude Publica. 2010;44(5):840–50.)
Collection procedures
Prior to the data collection, a pilot study was done to determine possible biases and limitations in the research procedures. This step served to measure the time of application of the instrument and training of researchers. The data were collected at a state-owned Primary and Secondary Education school of Petrolina (PE), with a sample of 80 adolescents. Ten duly trained researchers participated.
The investigation began with the presentation of the agreement letter from the State Department of Education of Pernambuco to the headmasters of each selected school. The presentation and familiarization with the project initially occurred by means of announcements in the selected schools. The Informed Consent Form (ICF) and the Agreement Form were given to the students, so that they could take this information about the investigation to their parents or guardians. Next, data collection began, and the volunteers were submitted to the socioeconomic inquiry and questioning about risk behaviors.
The volunteers were organized in the classroom and invited to participate in the study, receiving an anonymous self-explanatory questionnaire that was completed in the absence of the teacher. These procedures were done so that there was no interference from the teachers, thus minimizing possible inducement or embarrassment when filling out the instruments.
After the questionnaire was completed, the students were instructed to hand in the instrument to the investigator. Finally, the researchers deposited the questionnaires, face down, on a table at the front of the room, and the teens were invited to leave the classroom. The volunteers were continually assisted by the researchers, who were instructed to clarify any possible doubts as to filling in the information, and not interfering with the answers. The questionnaire took, on average, 40 minutes to be completed.
All participants received explanations as to the proposed objectives and methodologies by means of the ICF. The adolescents and at least one of the parents or legal guardians (if the individual was underage) that agreed to participate in the study, signed the Agreement Form and the ICF, respectively.
The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Pernambuco, Official Opinion number 521.340, CAAE: 24288213.2.0000.5207, and adhered to the precepts of Resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council and of the Statute of the Child and Adolescent.
Statistical analysis
The data were recorded by double entry on Microsoft Excel software and processed and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20.0. Initially, the normality of the data was verified by means of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. In the case of symmetrical distribution, the central tendency measure and dispersion was used for presentation of the continuous variables, or measurement of the central tendency added to separatrices, for non-parametric distribution. Categorical data were presented in absolute and relative frequencies, and possible associations were calculated by the χ2 test. The odds ratio was calculated with a 95%CI. By means of a previously established model of chances, independent variables were selected that presented with a level of significance of 0.20 for the analysis of a binary logistic multiple regression model, adjusted for gender, after analysis of the possible confounding and interaction factors. In this model, the insert (Enter) method was used. The Omnibus and Hosmer-Lemeshow tests were used to describe the validity and the explanatory power of the final model, respectively. All tests were two-tailed, and in all analyses, a p<0.05 significance level was adopted.
RESULTS
Of the 1,326 students evaluated, 1,275 were included in the final data analysis. Fifty-one individuals were excluded for not completing relevant information for the analysis. The greatest portion of the sample was composed of girls, aged between 14 and 16 years, mulatto, Catholic, single, whose parents had completed Primary school or had not completed Secondary school, and had a low family income. Due to the inclusion criteria, a smaller portion was in the seventh year [of schooling], and the distribution was similar among the other school years. Table 1 characterizes the social-demographic and economic profiles of the adolescents and youth evaluated.
As to the sexual behavior, 461 (37.0%) students reported already having had sexual intercourse before the time of the survey, and most of them had started their sexual life before the age of 17 years. A high percentage reported not having consumed alcoholic beverages and not having used the male condom in their latest sexual encounter, and this is the most frequently used method. On table 2, one can visualize the distribution of sexual behavior of the adolescents and youth that reported having an active sexual life.
As to the profile of adolescents and youth related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages, table 3 displays the distribution of the variables analyzed. Despite the majority of the students having begun using alcoholic beverages early in life, they still were classified as nonusers or new users, with a low percentage of ingestion of doses and of involvement with drunkenness in the previous 30 days.
Table 4 shows the analysis related to the use of male condom and its association with the independent variables studied among the adolescents and youth. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the associations between the use of male condom and the variables analyzed, gender, involvement in drunkenness, schooling level, mother’s schooling level, and the use of alcoholic beverages at some time in life showed values to be inserted into the binary regression model.
Table 5 demonstrates binary logistic regression, and we can verify the association between the nonuse of male condom and the independent variables adjusted for gender of adolescents and youth. The Omnibus test presented with values of p<0.03, showing that the models were valid. In the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, which defined the explanatory power of the model, we found the value of 0.82 for females and 0.84 for males. There was an association between the involvement in drunkenness over the previous 30 days and female gender.
DISCUSSION
The epidemiological profile of adolescents and youth analyzed was marked by a majority aged between 14 and 16 years, single, with a predominance of the female gender, corroborating the findings of other national and international studies that showed similar profiles.(11. Kalina O, Geckova AM, Klein D, Jarcuska P, Orosova O, van Dijk JP, et al. Psychosocial factors associated with sexual behaviour in early adolescence. Eur J Contracept Reprod Heal Care. 2011;16(4):298-306.,66. Sanchez ZM, Nappo SA, Cruz JI, Carlini EA, Carlini CM, Martins SS. Sexual behavior among high school students in Brazil: alcohol consumption and legal and illegal drug use associated with unprotected sex. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013; 68(4):489-94.,1616. Berg CJ, Lowe K, Stratton E, Goodwin SB, Grimsley L, Rodd J, et al. Sociodemographic, Psychosocial, and Health Behavior Risk Factors Associated with Sexual Risk Behaviors among Southeastern US College Students. Open J Prev Med. 2014;4(6):387-95.) A smaller portion reported not following any religion; the Christian religions were most prevalent, and most adolescents declared to be Catholic and were mulatto.
Thus, one can infer that the information relevant to the profile of adolescents and youth showed the characteristics of the Northeastern population, more specifically of the interior regions. On the national level, the contrast is evident between the Southern Region, with predominance of “Yellow” and “White” skin color, and the Northeast, in which “Black”, “Yellow”, and “Mulatto” represent the majority of the population.(1717. Fundo das Nações Unidas para a Infância. Situação da Adolescência Brasileira 2011. O direito de ser adolescente: oportunidade para reduzir vulnerabilidades e superar desigualdades [Internet]. Brasília, DF: UNICEF; 2011. p. 182. [citado 2016 Maio 3]. Disponível em: http://www.unicef.org/brazil/pt/br_sabrep11.pdf
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As to schooling level of parents, it was noted that the predominance was of those that had not concluded Secondary Education and had a monthly family income of up to two minimum wages, in agreement with data from other studies.(1212. Agius P, Taft A, Hemphill S, Toumbourou J, McMorris B. Excessive alcohol use and its association with risky sexual behaviour: a cross-sectional analysis of data from Victorian secondary school students. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2013;37(1):76-82.) For adolescents, low income represents a situation of vulnerability not only physiological, by means of exposure to diseases and poor nutrition, but also psychological, since it threatens confidence in their own future, and that of their communities and of their country.(1717. Fundo das Nações Unidas para a Infância. Situação da Adolescência Brasileira 2011. O direito de ser adolescente: oportunidade para reduzir vulnerabilidades e superar desigualdades [Internet]. Brasília, DF: UNICEF; 2011. p. 182. [citado 2016 Maio 3]. Disponível em: http://www.unicef.org/brazil/pt/br_sabrep11.pdf
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As to the sexual behavior of adolescents and youth, it was noted that the majority reported not having a sex life, and this behavior was greater in the younger age range. Several studies are in agreement with the data found, demonstrating a similar portion of adolescents with no sexual relations.(11. Kalina O, Geckova AM, Klein D, Jarcuska P, Orosova O, van Dijk JP, et al. Psychosocial factors associated with sexual behaviour in early adolescence. Eur J Contracept Reprod Heal Care. 2011;16(4):298-306.,66. Sanchez ZM, Nappo SA, Cruz JI, Carlini EA, Carlini CM, Martins SS. Sexual behavior among high school students in Brazil: alcohol consumption and legal and illegal drug use associated with unprotected sex. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013; 68(4):489-94.,1212. Agius P, Taft A, Hemphill S, Toumbourou J, McMorris B. Excessive alcohol use and its association with risky sexual behaviour: a cross-sectional analysis of data from Victorian secondary school students. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2013;37(1):76-82.,1414. Moore MJ, Barr EM, Johnson TM. Sexual behaviors of middle school students: 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey results from 16 locations. J Sch Health. 2013; 83(1):61-8.) The most prevalent age for sexual initiation was between 14 and 16 years and, although these data are in accordance with the mean age of literature, which is 15 years of age,(1818. Krauss H, Bogdański P, Szulińska M, Malewski M, Buraczyńska-Andrzejewska B, Sosnowski P, et al. Sexual initiation of youths in selected European countries compared with their sexual and contraceptive knowledge. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2012;19(3):587-92.) these findings are concerning, since 37.9% reported having begun their sexual life before the age of 12; precociousness of sexual initiation makes these individuals sexually active for a longer period of time, and consequently, more susceptible to a greater number of sexual partners in life.(1919. Kirby D, Lepore G. Sexual risk and protective factors. Factors affecting teen sexual behavior, pregnancy, childbearing and sexually transmitted disease: which are important? Which can you change? Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy; 2007. p. 1-105.)
In face of these findings, a study carried out in the United States with students from Secondary School in 16 states observed that in one third of the locations evaluated, sexual initiation before 11 years of age occurred for 8.1 to 10.3% of the sample.(1414. Moore MJ, Barr EM, Johnson TM. Sexual behaviors of middle school students: 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey results from 16 locations. J Sch Health. 2013; 83(1):61-8.)However, some psychosocial aspects may contribute as a protective factor, delaying early sexual initiation, such as satisfaction in life, search for sensations, and religious support.(1616. Berg CJ, Lowe K, Stratton E, Goodwin SB, Grimsley L, Rodd J, et al. Sociodemographic, Psychosocial, and Health Behavior Risk Factors Associated with Sexual Risk Behaviors among Southeastern US College Students. Open J Prev Med. 2014;4(6):387-95.)
As to the use of a contraceptive method during the last sexual encounter, it was noted, just as has been made evident by other authors,(11. Kalina O, Geckova AM, Klein D, Jarcuska P, Orosova O, van Dijk JP, et al. Psychosocial factors associated with sexual behaviour in early adolescence. Eur J Contracept Reprod Heal Care. 2011;16(4):298-306.,66. Sanchez ZM, Nappo SA, Cruz JI, Carlini EA, Carlini CM, Martins SS. Sexual behavior among high school students in Brazil: alcohol consumption and legal and illegal drug use associated with unprotected sex. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013; 68(4):489-94.,1212. Agius P, Taft A, Hemphill S, Toumbourou J, McMorris B. Excessive alcohol use and its association with risky sexual behaviour: a cross-sectional analysis of data from Victorian secondary school students. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2013;37(1):76-82.,1414. Moore MJ, Barr EM, Johnson TM. Sexual behaviors of middle school students: 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey results from 16 locations. J Sch Health. 2013; 83(1):61-8.) that most of the sample had used the male condom for the last sexual intercourse, and this was the method reported most frequently. It is believed that the positive behavior as to the use of the condom might be a result of campaigns and public policies that encourage and reinforce the practice of safe sex among adolescents.(1313. Zarzar PM, Jorge KO, Oksanen T, Vale MP, Ferreira EF, Kawachi I. Association between binge drinking, type of friends and gender: a cross-sectional study among Brazilian adolescents. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:257.) Measuring the use of contraceptive methods during the last sexual intercourse is an effective resource to identify contraceptive behavior in adolescence, considering the sporadic character of sexual relations, the dynamic of the sentimental relationships of this phase, and the alternating methods.(2020. Borges AL, Fujimori E, Kuschnir MC, Chofakian CB, Moraes AJ, Azevedo GD, et al. ERICA: sexual initiation and contraception in Brazilian adolescents. Rev Saude Publica. 2016;50 Suppl 1. pii: S0034-89102016000200307.)
Nevertheless, we should analyze these data with caution, since even with most of the sample having declared that they practice sexual prevention with the male condom, 34.4% reported not having used this method for the last sexual encounter, therefore continuing exposed to the occurrence of STD. Additionally, it was noted that 39% mentioned not using any method or other options, which would expose them to an undesired pregnancy.
A high percentage reported not having consumed alcohol at the last sexual encounter. Such a fact diverges from other studies that reveal the use of large quantities of alcoholic beverages before the last intercourse.(1212. Agius P, Taft A, Hemphill S, Toumbourou J, McMorris B. Excessive alcohol use and its association with risky sexual behaviour: a cross-sectional analysis of data from Victorian secondary school students. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2013;37(1):76-82.) Regarding this finding, it is believed that the findings of the present investigation could be elucidated considering the fact that the sample came from a region in the interior of the country, where the level of exposure and the influences related to the consumption of alcoholic beverages for this population group may have a different profile from that of large cities, which are locations where the majority of people within this context is developed.
Despite the greatest portion of the sample in this study reporting not having drunk an alcoholic beverage, among those that mentioned already having initiated the use of alcoholic beverages, a uniform distribution was noted among the age ranges, but the prevalence of the first dose was greater in adolescents aged 12 years or less, even though this practice is supported by law that prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages for this age range.(2121. Brasil. Lei no 9.294, de 15 de julho de 1996. Dispõe sobre as restrições ao uso e à propaganda de produtos fumígeros, bebidas alcoólicas, medicamentos, terapias e defensivos agrícolas, nos termos do §4o do art. 220 da Constituição Federal. Brasília, DF; 1996.)
In this way, such data should be seen with concern, since early initiation of alcohol use is directly associated with a greater chance of drunkenness episodes, both during adolescence and in adult life, as well as a greater probability of potential damage to the body.(2222. Dawson DA, Goldstein RB, Chou SP, Ruan WJ, Grant BF. Age at first drink and the first incidence of adult-onset DSM-IV alcohol use disorders. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2008;32(12):2149-60.) Additionally, prior studies demonstrated the existence of an association between early initiation of alcoholic beverage use with risky sexual behavior.(2323. Connor J, Gray A, Kypri K. Drinking history, current drinking and problematic sexual experiences among university students. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2010; 34(5):487-94.)
An investigation developed by the Harvard Campus Alcohol Study, in 1999, showed that students who drank for the first time before the age of 13 years had twice the chance of practicing unplanned sex and 2.2 times greater chances of being involved in unprotected sex, when compared to students that initiated the use of alcoholic beverages after the age of 19 years.(2424. Hingson R, Heeren T, Winter MR, Wechsler H. Early age of first drunkenness as a factor in college students’ unplanned and unprotected sex attributable to drinking. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):34-41.)
The most common pattern of consumption over the previous 30 days was that of one to nine doses, that is, most of the sample was a new user or an experimental user, while regarding involvement in drunkenness during this same period, the frequency found was that of five episodes. Drunkenness in this group is a behavior reported by several studies demonstrating that among adolescents who used alcoholic beverages, approximately half presented with at least one episode over the previous two weeks.(66. Sanchez ZM, Nappo SA, Cruz JI, Carlini EA, Carlini CM, Martins SS. Sexual behavior among high school students in Brazil: alcohol consumption and legal and illegal drug use associated with unprotected sex. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013; 68(4):489-94.,1212. Agius P, Taft A, Hemphill S, Toumbourou J, McMorris B. Excessive alcohol use and its association with risky sexual behaviour: a cross-sectional analysis of data from Victorian secondary school students. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2013;37(1):76-82.)
In the association with the use of male condom, the variables included in the regression model were gender, involvement in drunkenness in the previous 30 days, mother’s level of schooling, and the use of alcoholic beverages in life. However, after the multinomial regression adjusted for gender of adolescents and youth, the only variable that remained unrelated to the use of male condom was the involvement in drunkenness in the previous 30 days.
It was noted that the girls who got involved in drunkenness in the previous 30 days presented with 2.19 more chances of not using the male condom. In this way, for the girls, the consumption of alcohol becomes a risk factor for unprotected sexual involvement, thus making them more vulnerable to STDs and to unplanned pregnancy. Data similar to the current study are found in other national and international studies, also reporting greater vulnerability for the female gender.(66. Sanchez ZM, Nappo SA, Cruz JI, Carlini EA, Carlini CM, Martins SS. Sexual behavior among high school students in Brazil: alcohol consumption and legal and illegal drug use associated with unprotected sex. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013; 68(4):489-94.,1212. Agius P, Taft A, Hemphill S, Toumbourou J, McMorris B. Excessive alcohol use and its association with risky sexual behaviour: a cross-sectional analysis of data from Victorian secondary school students. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2013;37(1):76-82.)
Although our study made evident the association of nonuse of the male condom only for the female gender, a study that evaluated all 27 Brazilian states demonstrated the nonuse of the condom during the last sexual encounter was associated with some episode of drunkenness over the previous 30 days for both genders.(66. Sanchez ZM, Nappo SA, Cruz JI, Carlini EA, Carlini CM, Martins SS. Sexual behavior among high school students in Brazil: alcohol consumption and legal and illegal drug use associated with unprotected sex. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013; 68(4):489-94.) Thus, regardless of the gender of the adolescent and youth, one should encourage dissemination of prevention and education measures regarding the consequences of the association of alcohol and unprotected sexual activity, but it is necessary that the focus of these policies be more persuasive and energetic for the female public.
The prevalence of unprotected sex may be determined by a high level of positive self-esteem and anxiety, associated by an insufficient level of knowledge, which are characteristics of this age range.(11. Kalina O, Geckova AM, Klein D, Jarcuska P, Orosova O, van Dijk JP, et al. Psychosocial factors associated with sexual behaviour in early adolescence. Eur J Contracept Reprod Heal Care. 2011;16(4):298-306.) In this sense, the anxiety of the girls facing their partners, associated with the lack of sufficient knowledge, may have contributed towards the association between drunkenness and no sexual protection.
Based on the results of this research, we can infer that the implications of this study are relevant, with data that characterize the local scenario. It is expected that the behavior patterns found may help in a better targeting of healthcare actions geared towards this public. A joint effort among the government, academia, and the civil society is needed to guarantee the regularity necessary for the conduction of studies about condoms, with the purpose of establishing a policy of monitoring of such indicators, as well as the unification of the measures taken, assuring a correct comparison between them.(2525. Pitangui AC, Gomes MR, Lima AS, Schwingel PA, Albuquerque AP, de Araújo RC. Menstruation disturbances: prevalence, characteristics, and effects on the activities of daily living among adolescent girls from Brazil. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2013;26(3):148-52.)
However, some limitations should be mentioned regarding the present study, such as the fact that the instrument used is based on self-reported answers, making it necessary to take into consideration the possibility of untrue answers.(66. Sanchez ZM, Nappo SA, Cruz JI, Carlini EA, Carlini CM, Martins SS. Sexual behavior among high school students in Brazil: alcohol consumption and legal and illegal drug use associated with unprotected sex. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013; 68(4):489-94.) The research data came from a specific sample of a region in the interior of the state of Pernambuco, and it is not possible to infer that the conclusions found are applicable in other areas of Brazil or on a global level. Further, since it is a cross-sectional study, it is impossible to determine the causal effect of the risk behaviors evaluated.(2626. Dourado I, MacCarthy S, Reddy M, Calazans G, Gruskin S. Revisitando o uso do preservativo no Brasil. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2015;18 Suppl 1:63-88.)
For future investigations, the development of studies with panel-type longitudinal designs is suggested, which would analyze adolescents and youth from different locations, assessing not only regional influences, but also between large cities and towns. Additionally, it is also important to evaluate if there are differences between the behavioral pattern of adolescents and youth with distinct socioeconomic levels.
CONCLUSION
Most of the school-aged adolescents and youth reported having used the male condom in their last sexual encounter, and this is the most prevalent contraceptive method. Girls who had been involved in episodes of drunkenness in the previous 30 days showed higher chances of not having used the method in their last sexual relation. Finally, it is important to point out that, despite the association between not using the male condom and drunkenness having occurred only in the female gender, this finding still cannot be considered random, since statistical significance had been previously established and there was a plausible theoretical explanation for the fact.
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Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
Apr-Jun 2016
History
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Received
11 Mar 2016 -
Accepted
8 May 2016