Sexual initiation and contraceptive practices among adolescents in the tri-border area between Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay/Iniciacao sexual e praticas contraceptivas de adolescentes na triplice fronteira entre Brasil, Argentina e Paraguai/Iniciacion sexual y practicas anticonceptivas de adolescentes en la triple frontera entre Brasil, Argentina y Paraguay

• Published in: Revista panamericana de salud pública 2018-04, Vol.42 (1)
• Main Authors: Priotto, Elis Maria T. Palma, Fuhr, Aline Luiza, Gomes, Ludmila Mourao Xavier, Barbosa, Thiago Luis de Andrade
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• ISSN: 1020-4989
• DOI: 10.26633/RPSP.2018.16

Objective. To determine the prevalence of sexual initiation and the contraceptive practices of adolescents in the tri-border area between the cities of Foz do Iguacu (Brazil), Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), and Puerto Iguazu (Argentina). Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2 788 adolescents from public schools (age 12 to 18 years). Information was obtained through questionnaires administered in the schools between 2012 and 2013. The prevalence of sexual initiation, contraceptive practices, and sociodemographic variables was analyzed. To verify the association between the studied variables, the chi-square test was used with a significance level of 5%. Results. The overall prevalence of sexual initiation among adolescents was 34.6% (Puerto Iguazu: 45.3%; Foz do Iguacu: 35.2%; Ciudad del Este: 23.3%). The prevalence of sexual initiation was higher in males and in the 15-16 year age range. Sexual initiation was associated with sex, age, schooling, and school shift (morning, afternoon, or evening). Having received information on contraceptives was associated with sex, age, schooling, and contraceptive use in all three cities/countries. Adolescents of both sexes had received information about contraceptives, especially from the family and the school. Conclusions. It is suggested that municipalities/countries seek to structure a tri-national border policy with intersectoral programs and projects in order to promote educational practices regarding sexual and reproductive health for adolescents. Keywords Sexual behavior; border areas; contraception behavior; Argentina; Brazil; Paraguay. Objetivo. Determinar a prevalencia de iniciados sexualmente e as praticas contraceptivas de adolescentes na regiao de triplice fronteira entre Foz do Iguacu (Brasil), Ciudad del Este (Paraguai) e Puerto Iguazu (Argentina). Metodo. Estudo transversal do qual participaram 2 788 adolescentes de escolas publicas com idade entre 12 e 18 anos. As informacoes foram obtidas atraves de questionarios aplicados nas escolas no periodo de 2012 a 2013. Foram analisadas a prevalencia de iniciacao sexual, praticas contraceptivas e variaveis sociodemograficas dos individuos dos tres municipios. Para verificar a associacao entre as variaveis, utilizou-se o qui-quadrado com nivel de significancia de 5%. Resultados. A prevalencia geral de iniciacao sexual dos adolescentes foi de 34,6% (Puerto Iguazu: 45,3%; Foz do Iguacu: 35,2%; Ciudad del Este: 23,3%), sendo maior no sexo masculino e na fa