Sexual behavior of women with human papillomavirus in reference services of Fortaleza, Ceará

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the sexual behavior of women with human papillomavirus (HPV) admitted to two referral health units for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the city of Fortaleza. Methods: A quantitative and descriptive study, conducted in the months of August- September 2005 in two referral units for STDs. A questionnaire was applied to all women who were undergoing treatment for HPV in clinical or subclinical forms. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic variables, behavioral and sexual. The results were analyzed by descriptive statistics using Epi Info, version 15.1. Results: Joined in the study 39 women, of whom 25 (64.1%) had clinical form of the disease. Most 22 (56.4%) were in the age group of 20-29 years and 16 (41%) had completed or incompleted high school. Most 31 (79.5%) hace a steady partner, and of these, 19 (48.7%) lived with their partners. Of all women, 29 (74.4%) began their sexual life with less than 19 years. In 21 (53.8%) cases the sexual partners had no verrucous lesions. The number of partners ranged from two to four for 20 (51.3%) women, 27 (73%) denied the concomitant presence of other STD and 32 (82.1%) had already been tested for HIV. Conclusion: Women with HPV were generally young, with a steady partner. More than half of the partners had no symptoms. It is necessary to develop preventive strategies and of health promotion for youth.