Portuguese adolescent's beliefs in relation to the use of the condom

Abstract

This research shows the results obtained during PhD Sandwich that includes field work carried in Portugal and had the funding agency CAPES. The goals were: to identify adolescents' behavior and normative beliefs toward condom use during the sexual relationships and to develop practical suggestions that can contribute to the definition of solid strategies related to the Sexuality Education Program in the School. Quantitative study, based on the Theory of Reasoned Action - TRA, accomplished at public schools of Porto, from January to March of 2008. The sample consisted in 252 teenagers from 13 to 19 years old that answered a structured questionnaire. The medium age was of 14, 7 years old. The advantages for the use of the condom were: prevention of DSTs, of the pregnancy and of SIDA. The disadvantages were: risk of breaking, decrease of the pleasure and discomfort. Among positives persons were highlighted friends, parents and family. The results showed beliefs positive and negative, the positive can be strengthened and the negative minimized or turned into positive during the strategies of the program, that it has been developed at the schools, serving as a contribution to young people carry on a healthy sexual life.