FAMILY-SOCIO-ECONOMIC QUESTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ADOLESCENTS´ SEXUAL PRACTICES: A STUDY FROM THE CAPITAL OF MATO GROSSO

Adolescence is a phase of human life characterized by great physical, biological and behavioral changes. This study aimed to study socio-economic and cultural questions relative to adolescents´ sexual practices: this was achieved via quantitative research carried out in the first semester of 2010, in five state schools in the county of Cuiabá in Mato Grosso. The sample-population was composed of 499 students from the first year of middle school. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the sexual practices of the adolescents researched and their socio-economic or family conditions, with the exception of those related to the conjugal situation of parents; with the fact of the adolescent working or not; and whether he or she used contraceptives. The results indicate the need for managers, educators and healthcare professionals to collaborate with adolescents on sexual health issues in this phase of so many changes and doubts.