Strategies and challenges of self-care in sexual health: STI prevention and access to comprehensive sexuality education

Introduction: Self-care is a set of actions aimed at maintaining and promoting people's overall health, including physical, mental, sexual and social aspects. Sexual health, defined as comprehensive wellbeing in relation to sexuality, requires respectful and positive approaches to relationships, as well as access to quality services to prevent problems such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies and sexual violence. However, self-care in sexual health can be influenced by social and cultural factors, health policies and access to adequate information. Development: Self-care in sexual health manifests itself in various practices, such as the use of barrier methods, regular testing for STIs and open communication with sexual partners. STIs can be transmitted through various sexual practices, regardless of gender identity, although people with vulva are more vulnerable to these infections. Prevention methods, such as condoms and dental dams, offer some protection, but are not widely available, and do not always cover all sexual practices. In many contexts, structural and cultural barriers, such as lack of comprehensive sexuality education and heteronormativity in health care, limit access to information and adequate self-care, especially in vulvar populations. Barriers to access to protective methods and the lack of an inclusive approach in sexual health services hinder self-care and increase the risk of STIs. Comprehensive education and an inclusive medical environment are necessary to improve sexual health self-care and reduce the incidence of STIs in the population