A survey carried out by the Paulista School of Medicine at the University of São Paulo (Unifesp), in partnership with Bayer, revealed what has long been debated by health bodies: people, specifically men, are not protecting themselves against diseases sexually transmitted infections, currently called sexually transmitted infections. The study interviewed around 2 thousand men, aged between 15 and 25 years, and showed that of these, 69% are not worried about contracting any disease from unprotected sex, precisely because they neglect to use condoms. Also according to the survey, 72% of respondents said they believe that responsibility for contraceptive methods should be shared between the couple, and not just by one party. HIV AND SYPHILIS EPIDEMIC According to data from UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Program to combat and eradicate AIDS) and the Ministry of Health, Brazil has more than 800 thousand people living with HIV. Of this total, at least 100 do not know that they carry the virus. In 2017, the country also showed a new epidemic of syphilis and gonorrhea, with mutations in the bacteria that cause the diseases, which proved to be resistant to existing medications for treatment. The result also shows the need to talk about sex and, mainly, about prevention. For sexologist Laura Muller, “it is necessary to have a statement that guides, but also another that welcomes”. “We have to remember that it's not easy being a teenager, so he has to feel that if he makes a mistake, he will be welcomed,” she added.
