“SAFE: A Tua Sexualidade, A Tua Escolha Segura” – O impacto da intervenção do Enfermeiro Especialista em Enfermagem Comunitária

Abstract

Introduction: The developmental transition process experienced in adolescence is crucial for the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits in adulthood. Preparing children and young people for a healthy experience of their sexuality is essential. In a school context, the Nurse Specialist in Community Health and Public Health Nursing is responsible for establishing the conditions so adolescents can develop the ability to make decisions about behaviours related to their sexuality. Objective: To empower 7th grade students, their parents/guardians and the teaching and non-teaching staff of a Basic School 2,3 in Metropolitan Area of Porto about sexuality. Method: A community intervention project was developed based on the methodology of health planning. From the situational analysis 36 health needs were identified and the prioritization fell on the intervention in the context of sexual education. The project “SAFE: A Tua Sexualidade, A Tua Escolha Segura” includes six health education activities and games and brainstorming were also used. Results: In the project evaluation, 88,9% (n=32) of the 36 activity indicators and 88,9% (n=8) of the nine established result indicators were reached. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the positive impact that the Nurse Specialist in Community Health and Public Health Nursing intervention can have in promoting the health of the school community. The implementation of a health education project based on an active methodology and adjusted to health needs, proved to be effective in training the target population.