Sexually transmitted infections are increasing in Brazilian adolescents and youth. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and other psychosocial variables with condom use behavior and sexual debut in a sample of adolescents from Santa Maria-RS. Data was collected with 452 adolescents (57% girls), mean age of 15.9 years (SD = 1.4), using the Brazilian Youth Questionnaire – Phase II. Condom use behavior was not associated with self-esteem or self-efficacy in the logistic regression model, contrary to the main hypothesis. General self-efficacy was positively associated with sexual debut, while religiosity was negatively associated with this outcome. Family support was associated with older age at sexual debut. The findings support the importance of analyzing different sexual behaviors separately, as they may have distinct predictors. Studies should use specific measures of self-efficacy when studying sexual behavior and measure how participants value different sexual behaviors.

Voluntary blood donation is the only way to supply the hemotherapic system in Brazil and it depends on the population. Inductive campaigns are tools to attract donors, but they seem not to be influencing the donation behavior. This study aimed to investigate the donors’ perception of incentive campaigns for donation. Six donors participated; a number defined by saturation of the content. Data were collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire and semi-structured interview about the motivations to donate, donors’ perception of campaigns to which they were exposed, and their donation experiences. The thematic analysis was used to examine the data. Participants perceive a lack of emotional appeal and insufficient use of social media in campaigns to encourage donation. Results suggest campaigns should use different strategies to reach other audiences, increase the presence in social media, and relate positive feelings to the act of donating.

This study aimed to analyze the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevention campaigns promoted by the Brazilian Ministry of Health between 2008 and 2020. Fifty-three campaigns from the digital archive were included in the directed content analysis. The analysis was conducted based on the concepts of Combination Prevention and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Condom use and STI testing were constantly promoted, to the detriment of alternative preventive behaviors. The TPB concepts in the campaigns suggest the compatibility of the materials with the theory. We conclude that the campaigns present the desirable aspects of prevention. However, recent campaigns focused on aversive materials, which goes against studies that report negative effects from these strategies and is associated with the rise of moralist perspectives on prevention.

As the rates of sexually transmitted infections among Brazilian youth rise, college students present with low rates of condom use. Understanding which factors affect preventive behaviours may assist in promoting them. This study aimed to test the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as a model of condom use behaviour among young university students. Data on sexual behaviour, TPB, and personality variables were collected online with 343 sexually active students aged between 18 and 29. Seventy participants also provided follow-up data after 30 days. Structural equation models and ordinal regressions were used to analyse the effects of TPB variables on condom use behaviour. Attitude was the main predictor of behavioural intention in the cross-sectional and longitudinal models. Being in a relationship and lower age at sexual debut were also associated with less frequent condom use behaviour in the cross-sectional analysis. Behavioural intention and perceived control were associated with condom use behaviour.

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Resumo Objetivou-se analisar as campanhas de prevenção a infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (ISTs) veiculadas pelo Ministério da Saúde entre 2008 e 2020. Cinquenta e três campanhas disponíveis no acervo digital foram incluídas na análise de conteúdo dirigida. A análise foi realizada com base nos conceitos da Prevenção Combinada e da Teoria do Comportamento Planejado (TCP). O uso de camisinha e a realização de testagem para ISTs foram constantemente promovidos, em detrimento de comportamentos preventivos alternativos. Os conceitos da TCP nas campanhas indicam compatibilidade dos materiais com pressupostos teóricos. Conclui-se que as campanhas abordam os aspectos desejáveis da prevenção. Contudo, as campanhas mais recentes investiram em materiais aversivos, estratégia contraindicada por outros estudos, porém associada ao crescimento da perspectiva moralista de prevenção.