Living and Learning: Free Time and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Adolescence in a Brazilian City

Adolescence is characterized by deep changes in the physical, emotional and social areas. The sexual risk behavior, in this phase of life, stands as growing concern in the literature. While important to decrease risky sexual practices among adolescents, knowledge about the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS (STD / AIDS), has shared stage with other variables in the way of life of adolescents. Thus, this study intended to study the association of knowledge about STD / AIDS, the prevalence of risky sexual practices among students and the free time at a city of São Paulo. The target population was students enrolled in the 7th and 8th-graders, as well as students attending the first, second and third years of high school. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a structured questionnaire, previously tested, individual anonymous of self-completion. The chi-square test was applied to assess differences between the frequencies with a significance level of 5%. Among the results, about 50% are male with mean age of 15 years (± 1.5 years). Individuals with less knowledge about the prevention of STD / AIDS more frequently reported not having free time during the week and had practiced sexual intercourse without a condom, in the last month. The practice sexual risk was related to lack of free time on weekends. They point to the need to value free time and leisure in adolescents, as well as recognize this space in the actions for health promotion. Educational and health services, as well as family and group of friends should be considered in this preventive process, with the participation of teenage protagonist.