The World Health Organization (WHO) directs Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) prevention efforts toward key populations. Among these are people deprived of liberty who, due to inadequate hygiene, limited access to health services, and greater vulnerability to violence, are at increased risk for STIs. In this work, we present data collected during an educational lecture delivered in a prison unit in Western Paraná that houses women in provisional custody. A lecture was given addressing symptoms, transmission, prevention, and treatment of STIs (syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus HIV, viral hepatitis, human papillomavirus HPV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea) as well as candidiasis and urinary tract infection. After the lecture, questions were answered and participants were invited to complete an activity evaluation form. The instrument collected data on prior STI occurrence, preventive methods used, prior knowledge of the lecture content, and evaluation of the activity. Twenty-six inmates participated; 31% (8/26) reported having had an STI, of which 75% (6/8) were syphilis, and the remaining cases chlamydia (1/8) and hepatitis (1/8). Regarding preventive methods, 27% (7/26) reported not using any method, 62% (16/26) reported using the male condom, and only 19% (5/26) reported regular testing. With respect to the content covered and evaluation of the activity, 58% (15/26) stated they did not know all the information presented, and 85% (22/26) assigned the maximum score (10) to the importance of the information addressed. The results of this work highlight the importance of disseminating knowledge related to STIs so that people deprived of liberty understand the importance of behavior change for preventing these infections.
Homerich et al. (2026) studied this question.