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Nurses and health care for gay adolescents* * This article refers to the call “Adolescent health and the role of nurses”. Edited by Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Publication of this supplement was supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). Articles have undergone the journal’s standard peer-review process for supplements. The views expressed in this supplement are those of the authors alone and do not represent the views of PAHO/WHO. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) - Finance Code 001, Grant # 88887.497730/2020-00, Brazil. Paper extracted from master’s thesis “Narrativas de enfermeiros sobre o cuidado à saúde de adolescentes gays”, presented to Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.

Abstract

Objective:

to analyze nurses’ statements about health care for gay adolescents.

Method:

qualitative study, anchored on the Thematic Analysis of Clarke and Braun, with adoption of Symbolic Interactionism as a theoretical framework, since it favors the understanding of the relationship between behaviors, interactions, and social meanings. Twelve nurses recruited using the snowball sampling technique were remotely interviewed via the Google Meet® video-conferencing app.

Results:

four themes were elaborated throughout the comprehensive-interpretative process: “Gay adolescents, agendas, and relation with health;” “The gay adolescent’s family and care;” “Relationship with gay adolescents in care,” and “Limits to nursing care for gay adolescents.”

Conclusion:

the statements denounce stigmas and symbols derived from cisheteronormativity as intervening in the relationship and indicate the urgency of investing in the intersubjective encounter with gay adolescents and their families in a horizontal, affective, and empathic relationship, with chances of favoring public defense of the right to health. There are comments on the nurses’ attitude and qualification of care for this population.

Descriptors:
Delivery of Health Care; Adolescent; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Nurses; Symbolic Interactionism; Nursing Care

Highlights:

(1) Tendency towards “de-subjectifying” objectification in health practices. (2) Hegemony of cisheteronormative logic as a limitation to care. (3) Sex and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as stigmas attached to gay adolescents. (4) Family and health care for homosexual adolescents: opportunities and obstacles. (5) The limits and powers of nursing to enable equity in care for gay adolescents.

Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto / Universidade de São Paulo Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-902 Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil, Tel.: +55 (16) 3315-3451 / 3315-4407 - Ribeirão Preto - SP - Brazil
E-mail: rlae@eerp.usp.br