Perfil sociodemográfico, condições de acolhimento e histórico relacionado à COVID-19 de adolescentes institucionalizados: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT | OBJECTIVE: To describe the sociodemographic profile, care conditions, and COVID-19-related history of institutionalized adolescents. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted with 37 institutionalized adolescents in July 2023 across four municipal care facilities in northeastern Brazil, using variables related to sociodemographic, care conditions, and COVID-19 history. The data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: A predominance of males (59.5%) was observed, with a mean age of 14.7 years (SD=1.7); the majority identified as mixed-race (51.4%), without a partner (64.9%), heterosexual (78.4%), without a religion (45.9%), and with a mean of 8.1 years of schooling (SD=2.1). Clinical/pandemic characterization showed that the majority had not contracted COVID-19 (78.4%). However, among those who had COVID-19 (21.6%), some required hospitalization (5.4%) and experienced sequelae or complications such as “shortness of breath” (16.2%). The care conditions showed that adolescents were under care in male-only facilities (62.2%), with a mean institutionalization period of 3.6 years (SD=4.6) and an average of 2.8 stays in care (SD=2.3); the main reasons for admission included family instability (29.7%), drug involvement (29.7%), and family abandonment (24.3%), among others. CONCLUSIONS: The study results show that males, mixed-race individuals, heterosexuals, those without a religion, with a mean of 8.1 years of schooling, and without a partner comprise the population of institutionalized adolescents in the municipality.