Experiência de mulheres em tratamento de infecções vaginais: participação do parceiro e do serviço de saúde

Abstract

Gynecology care is an opportunity to track the vulnerabilities of women arising from sexual experiences. Sexually Transmitted Infections are considered a public health problem, mainly due to the consequences related to sexual and reproductive health. For women, preserving health is a challenge and sexual abstinence during the treatment of genital infections can generate conflicts in the face of inequalities in the relationship with the partner due to the asymmetry in decision-making. The study had as general objective to analyze the experience of women in the treatment of genital infections considering the relationship with their partners and with health services. This is an exploratory study with a qualitative approach. It was carried out through face-to-face and virtual interviews, from November 2020 to June 2021, with 13 women of reproductive age, linked to a Family Health Unit in the Sanitary District of Subúrbio Ferroviário of Salvador-Ba. The analysis of the empirical material was performed using the discourse analysis technique. The research meets the ethical requirements contained in the resolutions of the National Health Council, 466/2012 and 510/2016. The results of this study show that women are attentive to the correct treatment of gynecological infections and some partners participate respecting the necessary sexual abstinence or counteracting it with power and seduction games. They are entirely exempt from liability for the occurrence of gynecological infections, treatment and vulnerability of women. The vulnerabilities are consolidated in the relationship with the partners, but the health service participates, as, despite the preventive guidelines, they do not involve the partner, and the continuity of misinformation is predominant for women as well.