Padr？o de comportamento relacionado às práticas sexuais e ao uso de drogas de adolescentes do sexo feminino residentes em Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil, 2002

adolescents are a vulnerable group for sexually transmitted diseases (stds). the goal of this study was to describe behavior patterns among female adolescents (15-19 years) in relation to sexual practices and drug use in an area covered by the health family program in vitória, capital city of espírito santo state, brazil. a descriptive study from march to june 2002 was performed. a face-to-face interview was conducted and urine samples were collected for the chlamydia trachomatis lcx test. a total of 464 adolescents were included in the study. sixty-nine percent were already sexually active; 12.8% reported previous stds, 14% illicit drug use, and 3.7% a history of prostitution. only 23.4% reported regular condom use, although more than 90% had received information on std/aids risks and prevention. history of pregnancy was reported by 31.6% of the adolescents, and a previous hiv test by 17%. although they reported receiving information on std/aids, they were failing to take adequate self-protective measures. the results highlight the need for preventive measures, including std screening and risk-reduction programs.