Doubts Persist Among Adolescents Regarding Sexual and Reproductive Health Beyond the Biomedical Dimension
1
Nursing Department, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
2
Postgraduate Studies in Public Health, University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, Brazil
3
Postgraduate Nursing Program, University of Luso-Afro-Brazilian Integration, Redenção, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Adolescent sexual and reproductive health is often addressed from a biomedical perspective, focused on risks, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancy. Although relevant, this approach tends to neglect subjective, relational, and ethical dimensions that shape experiences during this stage of life. Understanding how adolescents themselves make sense of sexual and reproductive health is essential for developing educational strategies that are more sensitive, equitable, and aligned with their social and cultural realities. Thus, this study aimed to understand adolescents’ informational needs and main doubts regarding sexual and reproductive health.
METHODS:
A qualitative study developed to support the construction of an educational technology in sexual and reproductive health. Data were produced through seven focus groups with 55 adolescents aged 15–17 years from a public school in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Transcripts were subjected to lexical analysis using IRAMUTEQ software and qualitative content analysis according to Mayring’s approach. The analysis enabled the identification of perceptions, meanings attributed to sexuality, and informational needs expressed by adolescents.
RESULTS:
Findings showed that although adolescents recognize biomedical aspects of sexual and reproductive health, their perceptions extend beyond this domain, incorporating elements related to affectivity, identity, interpersonal relationships, consent, gender, and social norms and moral values. Feelings of insecurity, fear of judgment, and difficulties in dialogue with family and school emerged. Sexuality was understood as an experience shaped by social pressures, gender inequalities, and fragile support networks, reinforcing the need for educational approaches that address these dimensions in an integrated manner.
CONCLUSIONS:
Adolescents’ perceptions of sexual and reproductive health go beyond the biomedical focus, revealing the centrality of relational, sociocultural, affective, and ethical dimensions in their experiences. Recognizing these elements is essential for developing more humanized, contextualized, and adolescent-centered health education actions and technologies, contributing to more effective care practices in the field of public health.
Adolescent sexual and reproductive health is often addressed from a biomedical perspective, focused on risks, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancy. Although relevant, this approach tends to neglect subjective, relational, and ethical dimensions that shape experiences during this stage of life. Understanding how adolescents themselves make sense of sexual and reproductive health is essential for developing educational strategies that are more sensitive, equitable, and aligned with their social and cultural realities. Thus, this study aimed to understand adolescents’ informational needs and main doubts regarding sexual and reproductive health.
METHODS:
A qualitative study developed to support the construction of an educational technology in sexual and reproductive health. Data were produced through seven focus groups with 55 adolescents aged 15–17 years from a public school in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Transcripts were subjected to lexical analysis using IRAMUTEQ software and qualitative content analysis according to Mayring’s approach. The analysis enabled the identification of perceptions, meanings attributed to sexuality, and informational needs expressed by adolescents.
RESULTS:
Findings showed that although adolescents recognize biomedical aspects of sexual and reproductive health, their perceptions extend beyond this domain, incorporating elements related to affectivity, identity, interpersonal relationships, consent, gender, and social norms and moral values. Feelings of insecurity, fear of judgment, and difficulties in dialogue with family and school emerged. Sexuality was understood as an experience shaped by social pressures, gender inequalities, and fragile support networks, reinforcing the need for educational approaches that address these dimensions in an integrated manner.
CONCLUSIONS:
Adolescents’ perceptions of sexual and reproductive health go beyond the biomedical focus, revealing the centrality of relational, sociocultural, affective, and ethical dimensions in their experiences. Recognizing these elements is essential for developing more humanized, contextualized, and adolescent-centered health education actions and technologies, contributing to more effective care practices in the field of public health.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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