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Nos últimos anos tem-se observado aumento na prevalência da infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana entre mulheres brasileiras. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de determinar conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas de prevenção com relação às doenças de transmissão sexual (DST) no que se refere a mulheres atendidas na rede primária de saúde de Campinas, São Paulo, para implementar futuras ações. Entre 249 mulheres entrevistadas, 10% disseram usar a camisinha e 7,6% relataram uso consistente. Apesar de a maioria das mulheres (87,6%) referir a televisão como fonte de informação, a qualidade desta foi pobre para sensibilizá-las do risco das DST. A totalidade das mulheres expressou confiança no médico. Concluiu-se que as mulheres não optam pelo uso da camisinha para prevenção de DST/AIDS, utilizando-o, em geral, com a intenção de contracepção. É preciso implementar a adoção do diálogo informativo a respeito das DST/AIDS durante a consulta e inovar a forma e a qualidade das informações, de modo a viabilizar maior aderência da população às práticas do comportamento sexual seguro.

In Brazil, abortion is permitted by law in cases of rape-related pregnancy. This study reports on various aspects in the experience of women that have been sexually assaulted: diagnosis of the pregnancy, seeking legal abortion, and hospitalization in a university hospital. This was a qualitative study that interviewed ten women 18 to 38 years of age, with at least eight years of schooling, one to five years after legal abortion. The women had been previously unaware of their right to a legal abortion, were ashamed about the sexual assault, kept it secret, and had not sought immediate care. The diagnosis of pregnancy provoked anxiety and the wish to undergo an abortion. Women treated through private health plans received either insufficient orientation or none at all. Respectful treatment by the healthcare staff proved relevant for the women to cope with the abortion. The study highlights the need to publicize the right to abortion in cases of rape-related pregnancy and the healthcare services that perform legal abortion, in addition to training healthcare and law enforcement teams to handle such cases.

Rape is a global public health problem, and steps have been taken to encourage studies on the issue and propose interventions for its prevention and appropriate care. This study aimed to characterize the population of female rape victims and describe the characteristics of the sexual assault and the care provided at a university referral center. This was a quantitative retrospective study of care provided to female rape victims from June 2006 to December 2010. The majority of the women (n = 687) were white, single, had no children, with a mean age of 23.7 years and primary to secondary schooling, employed, and practiced a religion. One-fourth of the victims reported no sexual intercourse prior to the sexual assault. Rape occurred mainly at night, on the street, perpetrated by a single stranger, with vaginal penetration, and with threatened or actual force. Most of the victims had reported the rape to someone and felt supported. Early care occurred for almost 90% of women, allowing preventive measures. From 2006 to 2010 there was an increase in the proportion of women that sought help. Better knowledge of the characteristics of this group and the event itself can help improve the structure and functioning of models to assist rape victims.