This study aimed to verify the racial discrimination experienced by black teenage girls living in shantytowns in Rio de Janeiro city and its possible influence on their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. We used a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, based on data collected from focus groups composed of 139 teenage girls. Group discussions followed a script of subjects involving two thematic areas: sexuality/STDs/AIDS/gender and race/color/discrimination. The discussions were recorded and the transcribed texts were critically analyzed by a multidisciplinary team. The data collected were classified in specific categories associated with the theoretical assumptions, to respond to the research questions. The results reveal that the girls suffer racial discrimination in their daily lives, manifested in disparaging remarks and attitudes toward their way of speaking, physical appearance, character and intellectual capacity. This discriminatory behavior hinders their access to health services and also reduces the quality of the services received. The conclusion is that the racial discrimination experienced by these black teenage girls influences their development of self-esteem and contributes to the construction of a negative identity, which allied with poverty creates a context of vulnerability to DSTs/AIDS. We suggest these findings be taken into consideration in the formulation of public policies to offer better health care services to those who suffer from inequality and discrimination.
prejudice; racism; teenage health; vulnerability; STD/AIDS; qualitative research