Elizabeth Cordeiro Fernandes

Doação de órgãos: compreensão na perspectiva de adolescentes

OBJECTIVES: to learn the opinion of adolescents regarding organ donation. METHODS: a descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study was carried out with 13 adolescents aged between 16 and 19 years at two public schools in Recife, in the Brazilian State of Pernambuco. Data were collected between February and May 2008 in semi-structured interviews that were subsequently subjected to themed content analysis. RESULTS: for themes were identified: the idea of saving lives; knowledge revealed; helpful and unhelpful feelings regarding organ donation; other issues that influence the decision to donate organs. The adolescents showed a willingness to save lives by donating organs, although this was not sufficient for them to make a decision to do so. The influence of family, friends and the media could be a positive or negative factor and the possibility of contributing to the continuation of life weighed positively in the decision. CONCLUSIONS: In the opinion of adolescents, organ donation is necessary and they want to do their bit, although they do not have sufficient knowledge of the subject. There is a need for more systematic and accurate information to ensure that their desire to donate organs and save lives is transformed into reality.

Knowledge of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Factors Associated with Condom Use Among Adolescents in Northeast Brazil

AIM To assess the knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and factors associated with condom use among adolescent. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 outpatient adolescents. Association between knowledge on the transmission of HIV/AIDS and variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the factors associated to condom use. RESULTS The knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission was high and lower percentages of knowledge were observed regarding the non-transmission of HIV/AIDS. Younger adolescents revealed less knowledge than older adolescents. After multiple logistic regression the following factors were associated with condom use: male gender (p = 0.029), same age between partners (p = 0.002) and having until 1 year elapsed since sexual initiation (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION The knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS prevention was satisfactory. However, this does not imply that adolescents put such knowledge to use.

Young adult victims of sexual abuse in childhood or adolescence - cases study from the perspective of human development bioecology

Objective: to understand the constructs and attitudes of young adults who suffered sexual violence in infancy or adolescence, being analyzed the context of its environment. Method: this research, descriptive and study of cases type, in depth. Theoretical references will be: the definition of sexual violence of the World Health Organization and the Ecological Theory of Human Development. Female young with ages between 20 and 25 years will partic ipate, enrolled in a Unit of the Family Health Program of Olinda, Pernambuco, that have suffered sexual violence in infancy or adolescence. The data will be collected by semi-structured interview and participative observation, approaching the situation where the event (or events) occurred, the attitudes of the victim and its family, the feelings of the victim for herself and for th e aggressor, the current situation in the family and social life. The answers will be recorded, transcribed and the content analysis will follow the thematic modality. Expected results: we expect to contribute with another look for this problem of world public health, identifying factors that enforce or weaken the resilience of people who suffered the breaking from the body, soul and life. Conclusion: the most studies on sexual violence priories the victim and has litt le or no approach on the environment. Descriptors: sexual abuse; social support; resilience; bioecology’s theory of the human development.

Resilience process of adolescent girls with experiences in Recife streets - a human ecology view

Objective: investigating the resilience process of adolescent girls with experiences in Recife city streets, living in a municipal shelter. Method: descriptive and exploratory study, transversal and qualitative approach. The theoretical referencial will use the elements of resilience concept and the model of Human Bioecology Development. The sample will be for convenience and collecting data will use: a) semistructuralized questionnaire  for the social and demographic profile of the group; b) the Incomplet History Test (IHT), that identifies personal characteristics of the social ability, one of the criteria to evaluate resilience potential; c) Map of Five Fields (MFF), that evaluates the structure and quality of relationships, that influences the ability of coping difficulties; d) semistructuralized interview with guiding questions about life in family, in streets and in the shelter. The IHT and MFF evaluation will follow the respective norms. The Content Analysis will follow the form conceived by Bardin in the thematic modality. Expected results: articulating the results of the pshycometric tests with the interview, it is suposed to improve the knowledge on these adolescents’ lives and contribute for ressocialization policy. Descriptors: adolescent health care; human ecology; resilience; street adolescents; social ability.