Paula Renata Amorim Lessa

Retrato da realidade socioeconômica e sexual de mulheres presidiárias

Objective: To investigate the socioeconomic and sexual profile of prisoners. Methods: A study using a quantitative approach, transversal and descriptive, involving 155 prisoners. Data collection was performed from January to March, 2010, in the female penitentiary in the State of Ceara (Brazil), and included data on socioeconomic and sexual characteristics. Results: Most of the young Brazilian women were single with low educational levels and family income, imprisoned for drug trafficking. There was early first sexual intercourse, with stability and little variety of sexual partners. Being a prisoner, using drugs and possessing tattoos / piercings represented common aspects of the participants and their partners. The homo / bisexuality, and prostitution were strongly present. STDs before or after the arrest showed little expression. The guarantee of achievement of conjugal visits and the obtaining of preventive screening still faces major obstacles. Conclusion: Despite the vulnerabilities encountered, it was concluded that strategies to promote sexual health in the prison environment should encompass the complexity of the peculiarities experienced by prisoners.Objective: To investigate the socioeconomic and sexual profile of prisoners. Methods: A study using a quantitative approach, transversal and descriptive, involving 155 prisoners. Data collection was performed from January to March, 2010, in the female penitentiary in the State of Ceara (Brazil), and included data on socioeconomic and sexual characteristics. Results: Most of the young Brazilian women were single with low educational levels and family income, imprisoned for drug trafficking. There was early first sexual intercourse, with stability and little variety of sexual partners. Being a prisoner, using drugs and possessing tattoos / piercings represented common aspects of the participants and their partners. The homo / bisexuality, and prostitution were strongly present. STDs before or after the arrest showed little expression. The guarantee of achievement of conjugal visits and the obtaining of preventive screening still faces major obstacles. Conclusion: Despite the vulnerabilities encountered, it was concluded that strategies to promote sexual health in the prison environment should encompass the complexity of the peculiarities experienced by prisoners.

[Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding condom use among women prisoners: the prevention of STD/HIV in the prison setting].

The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of women prisoners regarding the use of female and male condoms as a means of prevention against STD/HIV. This quantitative and evaluative Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) study included 155 female prisoners. Data collection was performed between January and March 2010 at the State of Ceará Womens Penitentiary. Although the women had heard of and/or knew about the purposes of the use of condoms, only 35 (22.6%) had appropriate knowledge regarding male condoms, and 11 (7.1%) in regards to the use of female condoms. Their attitudes were less favorable regarding oral sex. Appropriate practice was not significantly representative, particularly regarding the female condom. Homo/bisexuality, gender issues, lack of knowledge, and the difficult access to condoms are obstacles that must be considered in the promotion of sexual health in the studied group.Objetivou-se avaliar o conhecimento, a atitude e a pratica de presidiarias quanto ao uso do preservativo masculino e feminino como medida preventiva as DST/HIV. Pesquisa quantitativa e avaliativa do tipo Conhecimento, Atitude e Pratica (CAP), envolvendo 155 presidiarias. A coleta de dados realizou-se de janeiro a marco de 2010 na penitenciaria feminina do estado do Ceara. Embora tivessem ouvido falar e/ou soubessem as finalidades do uso, apenas 35 mulheres (22,6%) tinham conhecimento adequado sobre o preservativo masculino e 11 (7,1%) a respeito do feminino. As atitudes foram menos favoraveis quanto ao uso no sexo oral. A pratica adequada apresentou pouca representatividade, em especial, do feminino. A homo/bissexualidade, as questoes de genero, a falta de conhecimento e o dificil acesso aos preservativos representaram obstaculos a serem considerados na promocao da saude sexual do grupo estudado.

Parturient´s companion and their relationship with the nursing team: a qualitative study.

The participation of the parturient´s companion of choice during the birth process was pointed as one of the factors that contribute for a humanized childbirth. The aim of this study was to identify the nursing team’s perceptions regarding the presence of the companion during childbirth. This descriptive qualitative research was carried through the months of May and June of 2008 with 15 members of the nursing team who give assistance to women in labor in a maternity of reference in Fortaleza. The data was collected from interviews, free observations and standards and routines of the institution and analyzed according to Bardin’s method. Although the lack of a previous preparation of the companion was the main difficulty pointed out, the interviews revealed a good acceptance of these companions from the nursing team’s behalf. There are evidence of the benefits that the companions’ presence are decisive to the humanized birth assistance, so it must be pointed out that individual resistance attitudes towards the companions presence need to be overcomed in order to achieve success in this assistencial proposal.

Conhecimento, atitude e prática do uso de preservativos por presidiárias: prevenção das DST/HIV no cenário prisional

The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of women prisoners regarding the use of female and male condoms as a means of prevention against STD/HIV. This quantitative and evaluative Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) study included 155 female prisoners. Data collection was performed between January and March 2010 at the State of Ceará Womens Penitentiary. Although the women had heard of and/or knew about the purposes of the use of condoms, only 35 (22.6%) had appropriate knowledge regarding male condoms, and 11 (7.1%) in regards to the use of female condoms. Their attitudes were less favorable regarding oral sex. Appropriate practice was not significantly representative, particularly regarding the female condom. Homo/bisexuality, gender issues, lack of knowledge, and the difficult access to condoms are obstacles that must be considered in the promotion of sexual health in the studied group.Objetivou-se avaliar o conhecimento, a atitude e a pratica de presidiarias quanto ao uso do preservativo masculino e feminino como medida preventiva as DST/HIV. Pesquisa quantitativa e avaliativa do tipo Conhecimento, Atitude e Pratica (CAP), envolvendo 155 presidiarias. A coleta de dados realizou-se de janeiro a marco de 2010 na penitenciaria feminina do estado do Ceara. Embora tivessem ouvido falar e/ou soubessem as finalidades do uso, apenas 35 mulheres (22,6%) tinham conhecimento adequado sobre o preservativo masculino e 11 (7,1%) a respeito do feminino. As atitudes foram menos favoraveis quanto ao uso no sexo oral. A pratica adequada apresentou pouca representatividade, em especial, do feminino. A homo/bissexualidade, as questoes de genero, a falta de conhecimento e o dificil acesso aos preservativos representaram obstaculos a serem considerados na promocao da saude sexual do grupo estudado.

A picture of the socioeconomic and sexual reality of women prisoners

Objective: To investigate the socioeconomic and sexual profile of prisoners. Methods: A study using a quantitative approach, transversal and descriptive, involving 155 prisoners. Data collection was performed from January to March, 2010, in the female penitentiary in the State of Ceara (Brazil), and included data on socioeconomic and sexual characteristics. Results: Most of the young Brazilian women were single with low educational levels and family income, imprisoned for drug trafficking. There was early first sexual intercourse, with stability and little variety of sexual partners. Being a prisoner, using drugs and possessing tattoos / piercings represented common aspects of the participants and their partners. The homo / bisexuality, and prostitution were strongly present. STDs before or after the arrest showed little expression. The guarantee of achievement of conjugal visits and the obtaining of preventive screening still faces major obstacles. Conclusion: Despite the vulnerabilities encountered, it was concluded that strategies to promote sexual health in the prison environment should encompass the complexity of the peculiarities experienced by prisoners.Objective: To investigate the socioeconomic and sexual profile of prisoners. Methods: A study using a quantitative approach, transversal and descriptive, involving 155 prisoners. Data collection was performed from January to March, 2010, in the female penitentiary in the State of Ceara (Brazil), and included data on socioeconomic and sexual characteristics. Results: Most of the young Brazilian women were single with low educational levels and family income, imprisoned for drug trafficking. There was early first sexual intercourse, with stability and little variety of sexual partners. Being a prisoner, using drugs and possessing tattoos / piercings represented common aspects of the participants and their partners. The homo / bisexuality, and prostitution were strongly present. STDs before or after the arrest showed little expression. The guarantee of achievement of conjugal visits and the obtaining of preventive screening still faces major obstacles. Conclusion: Despite the vulnerabilities encountered, it was concluded that strategies to promote sexual health in the prison environment should encompass the complexity of the peculiarities experienced by prisoners.

Fatores de risco para o câncer de colo do útero em mulheres reclusas

The study aimed to identify risk factors for the development of cervical cancer in women prisoners. Cross sectional study with a quantitative approach carried out in a female penal institute on the state of Ceará, Brazil. The selection of the sample occurred according to the availability of female prisoners at the time of collection, with a total of 36 women prisoners. Regard to the risks for cervical cancer, 16 (44,5%) women were smokers, 24 (70.5%) have made use of the oral contraceptive for a median of 46 months, 24 (66,6%) began their sexual lives with less than 15 years, and 26 (72,2%) reported use of condoms, but 10 (38,4%) of them used it rarely. These findings demonstrate that the prisoner female population is more vulnerable to the cervical cancer, requiring the health promotion in the correctional institution environment, since that time is configured as a unique opportunity.Objetivou-se identificar os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento do câncer de colo uterino em mulheres reclusas. Estudo descritivo, de corte transversal, realizado em um instituto penal feminino cearense. A selecao da amostra do estudo ocorreu de acordo com a disponibilidade de presidiarias no momento da coleta, totalizando 36 reclusas. Referente aos riscos para o câncer cervical, 16 mulheres (44,5%) eram tabagistas, 24 (70,5%) ja fizeram uso do contraceptivo oral por um tempo medio de 46 meses, 24 (66,6%) apresentaram coitarca com idade inferior a 15 anos; 26 (72,2%) faziam uso de preservativo, porem 10 (38,4%) o usavam raramente. Tais achados demonstram que a populacao encarcerada apresenta maior vulnerabilidade ao câncer de colo uterino, sendo necessaria a promocao da saude no ambiente, visto que tal momento se configura como uma oportunidade singular.

Validation of the Adherence Determinants Questionnaire scale among women with breast and cervical cancer.

Objetivos: objetivou-se traduzir e adaptar culturalmente a escala Adherence Determinants Questionnaire para a lingua Portuguesa, no contexto brasileiro, e verificar a confiabilidade e a validade da mesma para analisar os elementos da adesao das pacientes ao tratamento clinico do câncer de mama e cervical.Metodo: trata-se de estudo metodologico, realizado em dois centros de referencia em oncologia. A amostra foi composta por 198 participantes, sendo 152 em tratamento para câncer de mama e 46 em tratamento para câncer cervical. A validacao de conteudo foi realizada por um comite de especialistas. Ja a validacao de construto se deu pela analise fatorial e a confiabilidade foi analisada por meio do alfa de Cronbach.Resultado: o comite de especialistas fez os ajustes necessarios para que a escala fosse adaptada ao contexto brasileiro. A analise fatorial sugeriu a reducao de sete para cinco fatores, bem como a permanencia dos 38 itens semelhantes a escala original. A confiabilidade averiguada pelo alfa de Cronbach foi de 0,829, revelando alta consistencia interna.Conclusao: conclui-se que a escala Adherence Determinants Questionnaire - Versao Brasileira - e um instrumento valido, confiavel e capaz de mensurar os elementos de adesao ao tratamento do câncer de mama e cervical.

Comportamentos e práticas sexuais de homens que fazem sexo com homens

The objective was to identify behaviors and sexual practices of men who have sexual relations with other men in the context of vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. This was a cross-sectional, exploratory and descriptive study. It was carried out in a gay sociability place in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, between November 2010 and March 2011, through interviews with 189 men who have sex with men. The ethical aspects were respected. We found a sample consisting mostly by young, single, and highly educated men. The sexual history demonstrated the early onset of sexual activity, with a high prevalence of sexual intercourse with a partner of the opposite sex. There was also a high prevalence of HIV testing. Sexual practices revealed high prevalence of performing oral and anal sex, as well as high levels of protection in anal sex, despite the low protection in oral sex. A greater incorporation of prevention practices was found compared to the national scene in the beginning of the disease outbreak.El objetivo fue identificar los comportamientos y las practicas sexuales de los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres en el contexto de la vulnerabilidad al VIH/SIDA. Fue un estudio transversal, descriptivo y exploratorio. Se celebro en una sociabilidad local gay de Fortaleza, Ceara, Brasil, entre noviembre de 2010 y marzo de 2011, a traves de entrevistas con 189 hombres que tienen sexo con hombres. Se encontro una muestra compuesta en su mayoria por jovenes, solteros y con alto nivel de educacion. La historia sexual demostro el inicio temprano de la actividad sexual, la alta prevalencia de relaciones sexuales con una pareja del sexo opuesto. Hubo alta prevalencia de la prueba del VIH. Las practicas sexuales revelaron una alta prevalencia de realizar sexo oral y anal, asi como altos niveles de proteccion en el sexo anal, a pesar de la baja proteccion en el sexo oral. Se encontro una mayor incorporacion de las practicas de prevencion en relacion con la escena nacional en el inicio de la epidemia.

Gynecologic and obstetric profile of state imprisoned females

The objective of this study was to identify the gynecologic and obstetric profile of imprisoned females in the State of Ceara. This is a documental retrospective study with a quantitative approach, performed in the Female Prison Institute of the State of Ceara with 672 medical files. Regarding age, 62.3% of the women were 31 years old. The most prevalent age bracket for menarche was 10 to 13 years, (57.2%) and age of first sexual experience was 11 to 15 years (55.8%). The most common contraceptive method used was tubal ligation (29.5%). Homosexual behavior was found in 17.9% of inmates. Data also demonstrate an elevated number of pregnancies and abortions. In conclusion, these women require more care from health professionals and more specific health interventions in the prison context since they present high gynecologic and obstetrical risks. descrIptors: Prisons. Population characteristics. Females. Nursing.2 Mestranda do Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Enfermagem da UFC. Bolsista da CAPES. Ceara, Brasil. E-mail: paularenatal@ yahoo.com.br 3 Academica de Enfermagem da UFC. Bolsista do Programa de Educacao Tutorial (PET). Ceara, Brasil. E-mail: alanasmonte@ yahoo.com.br 4 ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to identify the gynecologic and obstetric profile of imprisoned females in the State of Ceara. This is a documental retrospective study with a quantitative approach, performed in the Female Prison Institute of the State of Ceara with 672 medical files. Regarding age, 62.3% of the women were 31 years old. The most prevalent age bracket for menarche was 10 to 13 years, (57.2%) and age of first sexual experience was 11 to 15 years (55.8%). The most common contraceptive method used was tubal ligation (29.5%). Homosexual behavior was found in 17.9% of inmates. Data also demonstrate an elevated number of pregnancies and abortions. In conclusion, these women require more care from health professionals and more specific health interventions in the prison context since they present high gynecologic and obstetrical risks. DESCRIPTORS: Prisons. Population characteristics. Women. Nursing.

Risk factors for cancer of the cervix in women prisoners

The study aimed to identify risk factors for the development of cervical cancer in women prisoners. Cross sectional study with a quantitative approach carried out in a female penal institute on the state of Ceará, Brazil. The selection of the sample occurred according to the availability of female prisoners at the time of collection, with a total of 36 women prisoners. Regard to the risks for cervical cancer, 16 (44,5%) women were smokers, 24 (70.5%) have made use of the oral contraceptive for a median of 46 months, 24 (66,6%) began their sexual lives with less than 15 years, and 26 (72,2%) reported use of condoms, but 10 (38,4%) of them used it rarely. These findings demonstrate that the prisoner female population is more vulnerable to the cervical cancer, requiring the health promotion in the correctional institution environment, since that time is configured as a unique opportunity.Objetivou-se identificar os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento do câncer de colo uterino em mulheres reclusas. Estudo descritivo, de corte transversal, realizado em um instituto penal feminino cearense. A selecao da amostra do estudo ocorreu de acordo com a disponibilidade de presidiarias no momento da coleta, totalizando 36 reclusas. Referente aos riscos para o câncer cervical, 16 mulheres (44,5%) eram tabagistas, 24 (70,5%) ja fizeram uso do contraceptivo oral por um tempo medio de 46 meses, 24 (66,6%) apresentaram coitarca com idade inferior a 15 anos; 26 (72,2%) faziam uso de preservativo, porem 10 (38,4%) o usavam raramente. Tais achados demonstram que a populacao encarcerada apresenta maior vulnerabilidade ao câncer de colo uterino, sendo necessaria a promocao da saude no ambiente, visto que tal momento se configura como uma oportunidade singular.