Representações sociais de jovens universitários sobre infecções sexualmente transmissíveis e sua relação com as práticas de prevenção

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the social representations of young university students about sexually transmitted infections and their relationship with infection prevention practices. Descriptive, qualitative research, based on the Theory of Social Representations using the complementary procedural approach, developed by Denise Jodelet. The participants were university students, regularly enrolled, aged 18-29 years, sexually active, present at the institution during the period of data collection. For data collection, two instruments were used: a questionnaire to characterize the group and a semi-structured interview. Respondents to the questionnaire were 160 youths, of both sexes, and 30 from the interview, with harmony in the distribution of male and female students. All ethical procedures were respected, that is, the research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee and all participants signed the Informed Consent Form as determined by Resolution 466/2012 and 510/2016. The data was organized. The data were organized in an Excel 2016 spreadsheet, and the analyzes were performed using univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics. The discursive information from the interviews was transcribed and stored in a file in the Microsoft Word 2007 Software, and the data analyzed using the content analysis technique, in the thematic-categorical modality. The characterization of the students shows that 72 (45%) were aged 18-20 years; self-declared white color (56.25%); lived with their parents 100 (62.5%); 76 (47%) did not have a boyfriend or partner; 114 (71.25%) declared themselves heterosexual; 56 (35%) never worked. Regarding sexual practices 101 (63.13%) had their first sexual intercourse between 12 and 17 years old and 117 (73.13%) used a condom at the time; 85 (53.15%) reported that they always use condoms; 118 (73.75%) had sex with permanent partners, and 52 (32.50%) reported always using condoms with these partners; 74 (46.25%) never negotiate condom use with their sexual partner. In the analysis of the discursive data, three categories emerged: 1- Students' conception of Sexually Transmitted Infections, and two subcategories - Images and feelings associated with STIs and Concepts and knowledge about STIs; 2- Practices for the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections and sexual education; 3- Factors that interfere with the use or not of condoms by students. It can be learned from the findings that university students associate the image of STIs with injuries and poor hygiene, and transmissibility with the practice of sex without using a condom. In the investigated group, the adoption of condoms in sexual practices is not recurrent, being used selectively according to the sexual partnership. The STI prevention practices of university students are anchored in the culture and habits of individuals, who assume risky sexual behavior in their sexual conduct.