Responding to STI epidemics among young people: a characterization of the language employed in educational materials

Abstract

This article aims to characterize the language employed in educational and communications materials about STIs, HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis produced by the Ministry of Health between 2010 and 2019, identifying elements related to health promotion and disease prevention. We conducted an exploratory descriptive study. The materials were selected by performing a systematic search of the Ministry of Health website focusing on the period 2010-2019. The materials were analyzed to determine the educational approaches adopted. The preventive, educational and personal development approaches were identified in 100% (201), 24.87% (50) and 7.96% (16) of the materials, respectively. The radical and popular education for health approaches were not observed. The almost exclusive focus on the preventive approach reveals that promoting changes in individual habits and behavior alone is not sufficient to combat and solve the problem of STIs, HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis in Brazil.

Key words:
Health education; Sexually transmitted diseases; Educational and promotional materials; Adolescent health