Negociações sobre a prevenção da gravidez, do HIV e de outras ISTs entre adolescentes e jovens de um bairro popular de Manaus

Abstract

This work is a section of the research project “Espaços Jovens”, conducted in Manaus (AM), in the Educandos neighborhood. The dissertation uses data previously produced by this project, which involved interviews and focus groups with young people aged 15 to 19. The data analysis was carried out by the author using NVivo software, focusing on negotiations around the prevention of pregnancy, HIV, and other STIs. The general objective of this dissertation is to understand how adolescents and young people from a working-class neighborhood in Manaus negotiate preventive practices related to pregnancy, HIV, and other STIs, in light of their experiences, relationships, and territorial contexts. The specific objectives include: exploring the meanings attributed to prevention and sexuality among adolescents and youth; understanding experiences of pregnancy and the meanings attributed to it by adolescents and young people, considering their contexts and forms of agency; and analyzing how social markers such as gender, race, class, and territory influence preventive practices in sexual and reproductive health. The results indicate that socioeconomic conditions and precarious educational infrastructure affect their choices. Furthermore, violence and drug trafficking in the neighborhood create an environment of insecurity, influencing decisions regarding sexual and reproductive health. The research highlights the role of gender relations in prevention practices, with women often bearing the responsibility for reproduction and men for prevention. This division of responsibilities is reinforced by social pressures and stigmas, impacting the use of contraceptive methods and perceptions about the body and physical appearance. Early pregnancy profoundly alters adolescents' priorities and future prospects, hindering access to education and employment. The lack of adequate psychological and medical support exacerbates the challenges faced, making reintegration into educational and professional contexts even more difficult.