Using a compressive sexuality education framework to analyses the contents of a Brazilian adolescent health handbook

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the contents on sexuality of the "Caderneta de Saúde do Adolescente", an adolescent health manual developed for use in Brazil. Through content analysis, the appropriateness of the document was assessed using an approach informed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation's comprehensive sexuality education theoretical framework. The results suggest that six of the seven categories present in this framework were partially covered, and the manual provided information on the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and contraception. However, certain key concepts were discussed differently in the male and female versions of the manual; The manual does not address gender issues and has very limited coverage of sexual diversity. The adolescent health manual was a tool created to help young Brazilians better understand what it is like to be young, explaining some of the physical and psychological changes that occur at this time. However, with respect to sexuality, some changes are appropriate to increase the comprehensiveness of the sexual education provided by the resource.