Project experience report “Hey young, do you undestand what your body says?”

Abstract

The report explores adolescence as a significant transitional phase characterized by physical and psychosocial changes. These changes influence young people’s sexual identity and can lead to risky behaviors, such as early pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The outreach project “Hey young person, do you understand what your body is saying?” was carried out in a city in the interior of Minas Gerais, with the aim of educating adolescents about sexual health. The project involved Medical students who carried out activities in public schools, addressing topics such as physiology, STIs and sexual violence. Training participants and adapting communication strategies to different contexts were essential to the success of the project. The experience also highlighted the importance of an effective school support network to deal with reports of violence. The project had a positive impact both on the training of future doctors and on the sexual health of the participating adolescents.