A violência sexual contra adolescentes em escolas no Piauí

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze sexual violence against adolescent schoolchildren in the state of Piauí, characterizing its prevalence and associated factors. Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study, with secondary data from the 2019 edition of the National School Health Survey. Data were collected using forms containing sociodemographic, behavioral, sexual and reproductive health, sociability, and body image variables. The dependent variable was sexual violence ever in life. Multiple logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis, obtaining adjusted odds ratios (ORaj) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: A total of 5,804 adolescents were interviewed. The prevalence of sexual violence was 5.2% (3.1% in males and 7.4% in females). There was an association between sexual violence and female gender (ORaj=2.37; 95%CI 1.80;3.15), alcohol use (ORaj=3.10; 95%CI 2.22;4.54), cigarette use (ORaj=2.66; 95%CI 1.98;3.45) and illicit drugs (ORaj=26.55; 95%CI 22.02;33.59), being bullied (ORaj=2.35; 95%CI 1.84;3.58) and practicing bullying (ORaj=1.52; 95%CI 1.08;2.18), body dissatisfaction (ORaj=1.55; 95%CI 1.12;2.73) and self-perception of body fat (ORaj=1.74; 95%CI 1.27;2.41). Conclusions: The prevalence of sexual violence was high, being associated with the gender of adolescents and behavioral and body perception factors. A better understanding of the characteristics of adolescents most predisposed to sexual violence may enable the development of strategies to mitigate the occurrence of this type of aggression.