The Meninos do Rio Program: lifeworld, adolescence, and health risks
Melo, E.Machado.de.; Faria, Hácio.Pereira.de.; Melo, M.Aparecida.Machado.de.; Chaves, A.Braga.; Machado, G.Paronetto.
Cadernos de Saude Publica 21(1): 39-48
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0102-311X PMID: 15692636 Document Number: 241755
This study investigated the health risks among teenagers from two towns in the Sao Francisco River Valley (Ibiai and Morada Nova) and slums in Morro das Pedras, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Teaching and extracurricular activities by the Federal University in these localities were analysed. The Habermas communicative action theory was used as the main theoretical and methodological approach. The research adopted qualitative and quantitative methods, including dynamic observation, focus groups, interviews, and questionnaires answered by high school students. Sexuality, work, and violence were the main themes, and were associated with numerous health risks. Child labour involving children aged 10-14 years was associated with nearly all types of health risks. The authors analysed the relationships between context and adolescent behaviour using the Habermasian concept of lifeworld colonization.