Abstract

Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2006, vol.32, n.1. ISSN 0864-3466.

Early pregnancies, abortions, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, result from risk behaviors that in the adolescents limit their opportunities for the development of an adequate life project and produce health affectations that on occasions vary according to the gender approach. A review of the researches on sexuality and its risks was made. The results showed that the sexual activity begins early in Cuba , at the ages of 14-15 years old, and that most of the adolescents do it without protection. There are gender differences in the perception of risks. Women consider that undesired pregnancy only concerns them. There is still a machista approach among male adolescents regarding sex, and they do not recognize abortion as a risky method to interrupt pregnancy. Although they are informed about the diverse topics of sexuality and their risks, the behaviors they follow do not correspond to it. It is concluded that in the strategies directed to improve their perceptions on the risks existing in sexual practices, it is necessary to strengthen those aspects connected with a responsible sexual behavior and, from a comprehensive perspective, to achieve the participation of both sexes in the design, planning and evaluation of the health actions directed with a gender approach and in the different settings

Keywords : Sexual and reproductive health; risks; perceptions; behaviors; adolescents; Cuba.

        · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )