Lúcia Ramiro

Prevalence and correlates of young people's sexual aggression perpetration and victimisation in 10 European countries: a multi-level analysis

Data are presented on young peoples sexual victimisation and perpetration from 10 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain) using a shared measurement tool (N = 3480 participants, aged between 18 and 27 years). Between 19.7 and 52.2% of female and between 10.1 and 55.8% of male respondents reported having experienced at least one incident of sexual victimisation since the age of consent. In two countries, victimisation rates were significantly higher for men than for women. Between 5.5 and 48.7% of male and 2.6 and 14.8% of female participants reported having engaged in a least one act of sexual aggression perpetration, with higher rates for men than for women in all countries. Victimisation rates correlated negatively with sexual assertiveness and positively with alcohol use in sexual encounters. Perpetration rates correlated positively with attitudes condoning physical dating violence and with alcohol use in men, and negatively with sexual assertiveness in women. At the country level, lower gender equality in economic power and in the work domain was related to higher male perpetration rates. Lower gender equality in political power and higher sexual assertiveness in women relative to men were linked to higher male victimisation rates.

Percepções de professores portugueses sobre educação sexual

OBJECTIVE To assess perceptions and attitudes regarding sex education among middle and high school teachers in Portugal. METHODS A study comprising 371 middle and high school teachers, both female and male, was conducted in Portugal in February and March 2006. Data was collected through snowball technique. The questionnaire was made up of two parts: the first collected data on demographics, career, religious background and training and experience in sex education; the second part presented three measures related to sex education, one assessed attitudes, another importance given to sex education, and the third the grade at which respondents believed sex education topics should be taught. The analysis of differences between gender, trained and untrained teachers in sex education, and experienced and non-experienced teachers in teaching sex education was carried out using ANOVA. RESULTS Overall, teachers showed a fairly straightforward attitude towards sex education and assessed it as moderately/highly important. Body image was found to be the only topic that should be introduced in the 5th and 6th grades. Female teachers [F(1;366)=7.772;p=.006], trained teachers [F(1;351)=8.030; p=.005] and experienced teachers in teaching sex education [F(1;356)=30.836;p=.000] showed a more positive attitude towards sex education (M=39.5; 40.4; 41.3; respectively). Only trained teachers assessed its teaching as highly important [F(1;351)=5.436;p=.020]; and female teachers believed it should be introduced earlier [F(1;370)=5.412;p=0.021]. CONCLUSIONS In general, teachers favor sex education in school. The fact that most topics of sex education are only taught in the 5th-6th or 7th-9th grades may have serious consequences since sex education has to be introduced before students engage in sexual behaviors.OBJETIVO: Avaliar percepcoes e atitudes em relacao a educacao sexual entre professores portugueses do ensino basico e secundario. METODOS: Participaram do estudo 371 professores de ambos os sexos, do segundo e terceiro ciclos e do ensino secundario do continente Portugues, entre Fevereiro e Marco de 2006. A coleta de dados foi feita por meio de questionario, pela tecnica bola de neve, constituido por duas partes; a primeira abordava dados sociodemograficos, caracterizacao profissional, crencas religiosas, formacao e experiencia em educacao sexual em meio escolar. A segunda parte foi composta por escalas relativas a atitudes, importância atribuida a temas de educacao sexual e nivel de ensino para introduzir topicos de educacao sexual. A analise das diferencas entre generos, entre professores com e sem experiencia em educacao sexual, e entre professores com e sem formacao complementar na area foi efectuada pela analise de variância ANOVA. RESULTADOS: Os professores, no geral, revelaram quer atitude quer importância medias/altas em relacao a educacao sexual. Imagem corporal foi o unico topico que deveria ser introduzido no primeiro ciclo. As professoras [F(1;366)=7,772; p=0,006] por oposicao aos professores, os professores com formacao em educacao sexual [F(1;351)=8,030; p=0,005], por oposicao aos que nao tem formacao, e os com experiencia em educacao sexual em meio escolar [F(1;356)=30,836; p=0,000], por oposicao aos sem experiencia, revelaram uma atitude mais positiva em relacao a educacao sexual (M=39,5; 40,4; 41,3; respectivamente). Somente professores com mais formacao atribuiram mais importância a educacao sexual [F(1;351)=5,436;p=0,020] e as professoras propuseram introducao da educacao sexual mais cedo [F(1;370)=5,412; p=0,021]. CONCLUSOES: Os professores no geral sao favoraveis a educacao sexual em meio escolar. O fato de a maioria dos topicos ficarem reservados para os segundo e terceiro ciclos pode nao ser adequado, pois a educacao sexual deve ser introduzida antes da manifestacao de comportamentos sexuais.

Gendered trends in early and very early sex and condom use in 20 European countries from 2002 to 2010.

BACKGROUND Sexual activity is often initiated during the adolescent period, and previous research suggests that the age of first sexual intercourse and condom use are crucial determinants of later sexual health. This study examined trends in adolescent sexual behaviours from 2002 to 2010 in 20 countries across four geographical regions of Europe. METHODS Data were collected by self-report questionnaires from 15-year-olds in classrooms during 2002, 2006 and 2010. Linear time trends were determined through logistic regression models, stratified for gender. RESULTS No linear trend over time was documented for most countries for sexual intercourse at the age of 13 or younger. Increased initiation among girls in Eastern Europe and decreased very early initiation among girls in Northern Europe emerged, along with a general increase in condom use in boys and most notably in girls. CONCLUSION Overall prevalence of early and very early sexual intercourse initiation was quite stable in Europe between 2002 and 2010, while condom use increased. More detailed research and policy attention to the antecedents of non-condom use among young people is warranted; and further study of the relationships between age of sexual initiation and condom or pill use would be particularly valuable.

Determinants Influencing Male Condom use Among University Students in Portugal

ABSTRACT. A self-administered questionnaire was carried out among university students in Portugal, with the aim to examine determinants influencing male condom use, according to the information–motivation–behavioral skills model (J. Fisher & Fisher, 1992). Students’ levels of information, motivation, and behavioral skills regarding preventive sexual behavior (male condom use) were ascertained and were used to determine their association with condom use among 880 male and 1,807 female students aged 18 to 35 years old. Although 86.9% of respondents indicated that they used a condom during their first sexual intercourse, only 32.8% used a condom always during sexual intercourse in the last 12 months. Most young people, especially women, had a good level of information regarding HIV/AIDS transmission/prevention. They also showed reasonable positive attitudes and had positive subjective norms and intentions toward HIV/AIDS preventive behaviors. Men presented a higher perceived difficulty and a lower perceived effectiveness of HIV/AIDS preventive behavior, therefore reporting higher risk acceptance. A path analysis revealed that preventive sexual behavior did not depend directly on information level but on motivation and behavioral skills (especially among men). Information about HIV prevention/transmission was not significantly associated with condom use. The finding that motivation and behavioral skills were the strongest determinants of condom use suggested that these may be important factors in effective sexually transmitted infection-prevention programs.

Nationwide survey of contraceptive and sexually transmitted infection knowledge, attitudes and skills of university students in Portugal

Abstract Sexually transmitted infections and (STIs) unintended pregnancies are contemporary public health concerns. Understanding factors ( e.g . knowledge, attitudes and skills) influencing sexual behaviours of university students are critical to develop targeted and tailored risk-reduction interventions for this vulnerable population. Thus, the goals of this study were to describe sexual behaviours and analyze differences between genders for sexual behaviours; to identify whether differences exist between genders and age groups regarding knowledge, attitudes and skills concerning contraceptive methods and STIs, and to evaluate the association of knowledge with attitudes and skills with sexual behaviour among university students in Portugal. The sample included 3278 students. Results show that the majority were sexually active and use condoms and oral contraceptives. In general, university students have high knowledge, positive attitudes and skills about contraception and STIs. Gender analyses indicated that women had greater knowledge, and more favourable attitudes, and higher skills toward contraceptive and STI preventive behaviour College students, in particular, face new challenges in sexual health and would benefit from more comprehensive education aimed at promoting healthy decision-making about family planning and STI prevention.

Educação sexual, conhecimentos, crenças, atitudes e comportamentos nos adolescentes

Resumo Introducao O aumento das ISTs, da gravidez nao planeada e de outros tantos riscos ligados a actividade sexual fazem com que os jovens sejam considerados um grupo de intervencao prioritario em termos de saude sexual e reprodutiva. Para se promover atitudes e comportamentos sexuais saudaveis e essencial a concretizacao de uma educacao sexual que tenha como objectivo desenvolver atitudes e competencias nos jovens, permitindo que estes se sintam informados e seguros nas suas escolhas. Material e metodos Este estudo (HBSC/OMS) avaliou o papel que 3331 adolescentes portugueses (1579 rapazes e 1752 raparigas), com uma media de idades de 15 anos, atribuem a educacao sexual, os seus conhecimentos e atitudes face ao VIH/SIDA. Usou-se um questionario de auto-relato que foi aplicado as turmas em sala de aula. Resultados Analisados os resultados do estudo, verificou-se que quer os factores de risco quer os de proteccao em relacao aos comportamentos sexuais de risco dos adolescentes sao inumeros. Conclusoes Sendo assim, e crucial que a educacao sexual abranja intervencoes do tipo preventivo de caracter universal, abrangendo toda a populacao escolar e respectivos contextos de vida: escola, familia e grupo de pares, mas tambem intervencoes mais especificas, em pequenos subgrupos identificados como prioritarios.

Perceptions of Portuguese teachers about sex education

OBJECTIVE To assess perceptions and attitudes regarding sex education among middle and high school teachers in Portugal. METHODS A study comprising 371 middle and high school teachers, both female and male, was conducted in Portugal in February and March 2006. Data was collected through snowball technique. The questionnaire was made up of two parts: the first collected data on demographics, career, religious background and training and experience in sex education; the second part presented three measures related to sex education, one assessed attitudes, another importance given to sex education, and the third the grade at which respondents believed sex education topics should be taught. The analysis of differences between gender, trained and untrained teachers in sex education, and experienced and non-experienced teachers in teaching sex education was carried out using ANOVA. RESULTS Overall, teachers showed a fairly straightforward attitude towards sex education and assessed it as moderately/highly important. Body image was found to be the only topic that should be introduced in the 5th and 6th grades. Female teachers [F(1;366)=7.772;p=.006], trained teachers [F(1;351)=8.030; p=.005] and experienced teachers in teaching sex education [F(1;356)=30.836;p=.000] showed a more positive attitude towards sex education (M=39.5; 40.4; 41.3; respectively). Only trained teachers assessed its teaching as highly important [F(1;351)=5.436;p=.020]; and female teachers believed it should be introduced earlier [F(1;370)=5.412;p=0.021]. CONCLUSIONS In general, teachers favor sex education in school. The fact that most topics of sex education are only taught in the 5th-6th or 7th-9th grades may have serious consequences since sex education has to be introduced before students engage in sexual behaviors.OBJETIVO: Avaliar percepcoes e atitudes em relacao a educacao sexual entre professores portugueses do ensino basico e secundario. METODOS: Participaram do estudo 371 professores de ambos os sexos, do segundo e terceiro ciclos e do ensino secundario do continente Portugues, entre Fevereiro e Marco de 2006. A coleta de dados foi feita por meio de questionario, pela tecnica bola de neve, constituido por duas partes; a primeira abordava dados sociodemograficos, caracterizacao profissional, crencas religiosas, formacao e experiencia em educacao sexual em meio escolar. A segunda parte foi composta por escalas relativas a atitudes, importância atribuida a temas de educacao sexual e nivel de ensino para introduzir topicos de educacao sexual. A analise das diferencas entre generos, entre professores com e sem experiencia em educacao sexual, e entre professores com e sem formacao complementar na area foi efectuada pela analise de variância ANOVA. RESULTADOS: Os professores, no geral, revelaram quer atitude quer importância medias/altas em relacao a educacao sexual. Imagem corporal foi o unico topico que deveria ser introduzido no primeiro ciclo. As professoras [F(1;366)=7,772; p=0,006] por oposicao aos professores, os professores com formacao em educacao sexual [F(1;351)=8,030; p=0,005], por oposicao aos que nao tem formacao, e os com experiencia em educacao sexual em meio escolar [F(1;356)=30,836; p=0,000], por oposicao aos sem experiencia, revelaram uma atitude mais positiva em relacao a educacao sexual (M=39,5; 40,4; 41,3; respectivamente). Somente professores com mais formacao atribuiram mais importância a educacao sexual [F(1;351)=5,436;p=0,020] e as professoras propuseram introducao da educacao sexual mais cedo [F(1;370)=5,412; p=0,021]. CONCLUSOES: Os professores no geral sao favoraveis a educacao sexual em meio escolar. O fato de a maioria dos topicos ficarem reservados para os segundo e terceiro ciclos pode nao ser adequado, pois a educacao sexual deve ser introduzida antes da manifestacao de comportamentos sexuais.

Sexual Education in Schools in Portugal: Evaluation of a 3 Years Period

Sexual education is crucial for reducing sexual risk behaviors (or at least not to enable their increase). The goal of this study was to evaluate the implementation of sexual education in schools. For the quantitative study, all schools (clustered in Schools Organic Units—SOUs) in mainland Portugal were invited to participate. Study 1—A total of 428 school principals, 424 coordinating teachers of health education, belonging to 428 Organic Units (OU), which correspond to 53% of the Portuguese public SOU, corresponding to 617,701 students and 60,595 teachers participated in the quantitative study. Study 2—For the qualitative study, interviews were conducted. Analysis of the results of both studies emphasized that Law n.° 60/2009 (6th August) is being fulfilled with regard to the implementation of sexual education as well as the number of hours established for its implementation. In general the SOUs organized an office that provides information and support for students and manages its functioning. The implementation of the Law is, overall, ranked as good/very good (83.7%). However, during the qualitative study, school principals and teachers emphasize that SOUs are making a huge effort to implement the Law, some of them questioning their ability to continue this process due to the present conditions. Principals and teachers reported the need to “revitalize” this area, underlining the need to maintain the Law and one annual “Call” from which the Ministry of Education and Science receives proposals for funding schools for projects in the area of health promotion, and teacher training.

Communication and Information About “Safer Sex”: Intervention Issues Within Communities of African Migrants Living in Poorer Neighborhoods in Portugal

ABSTRACT The aims of this study are to determine the influence of migrant status on sexual behavior and communication about “safer sex” and to identify ethnic-specific prevention issues. Data were obtained from a special administration of the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey in a special sample of Portuguese schools located in low-income Lisbon neighborhoods with large proportions of African migrants. Survey participants included 919 sixth, eighth, and tenth graders (52.3% female), of whom 19.2% were migrant foreigners from African, Portuguese-speaking countries, including Cape Verde (60.8%), Mozambique (1.6%), Angola (16.8%), Sao Tomé (8%), and Guinea-Bissau (14.8%). Subsequently, four focus groups were held with adolescents who had participated in the survey (n = 45), three focus groups with health and education professionals (n = 25), and one focus group with parents (n = 6). Compared with Portuguese adolescents, African migrant teens reported initial sexual intercourse at earlier ages, less frequent condom use, and less frequent and less comfortable communications with parents about sexual issues. Implications for selective prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are discussed and recommendations are made.

Trends in adolescent sexual behavior, impact of information, and attitudes about HIV/AIDS in Portugal

There is a recent decline in HIV in a significant number of countries due to the adoption of preventive sexual behaviors, which demonstrates that HIV reduction is possible. The goal of this research was to deepen knowledge of preventive sexual behavior in adolescents, including knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS, and assessing whether they changed from 2002 to 2010. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire from the Portuguese sample of the Health Behavior in School-aged Children, a collaborative WHO study. The study provided national representative data of 10,587 Portuguese adolescents attending 8th and 10th grade. In terms of preventive behaviors, results showed an increasing trend regarding the percentage reporting first sexual intercourse at 14 years old or more and condom use at last intercourse and a stabilized trend concerning having had intercourse, contraceptive pill use at last intercourse and having had intercourse under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Nevertheless, results showed a systematic decreasing trend in terms of knowledge and attitudes. This suggested that sex education programs are still too limited to teaching sessions, strongly homogenized in their content and inadequate to enhance knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV, let alone personal and social skills of different target groups.