Popular Health Education as a pillar for sexual and reproductive education in the Unified Health System, Brazil: an experience report"
 
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1
Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
 
2
SUS Technical School, Vitória, ES, Brazil
 
 
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1450
 
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Popular Education in Health (PEH) is a powerful tool for addressing complex themes, such as sexuality and teenage pregnancy, which are issues conditioned by the social determinants of health. The objective of this work is to describe the experience of an educational action focused on the prevention of teenage pregnancy with low-income young Black mothers residing in a territory of great potential but marked by social inequalities, in the city of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil.

METHODS:
The action began in November 2025, with planning carried out by a group of health professionals and students. The methodology was based on conversation circles held at the Youth Reference Center of the Território do Bem in Vitória, grounded in the PEH principles of Dialogue and Shared Construction of Knowledge. Six young women participated, guided by two academic students (one of whom is Black) linked to the Education through Work for Health Program: Equity, and supported by two nurses, a social worker, and a psychologist. Dynamics using music, poems, and a "question box" were conducted, and there was a demonstration of various contraceptive methods.

RESULTS:
The educational experience promoted a dialogic, welcoming, and participatory environment. These aspects made it possible to identify the young mothers' questions regarding sexual practice and their mothering process, as well as their health needs, facilitating discussions on the central theme. Additionally, the presentation of different contraceptive methods expanded the participants' repertoire of choices and enabled knowledge of new forms of prevention.

CONCLUSIONS:
The educational action on sexual practice, through the use of PEH, enabled an inclusive and equitable activity, strengthened access to sexual and reproductive rights, and encouraged the qualified pursuit of services within the Unified Health System (SUS). Furthermore, it promoted the integration between service, teaching, and the community, which is a powerful strategy for health equity.
eISSN:2654-1459
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