Entre percepções e práticas: uma análise das representações sociais sobre a prevenção de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis entre homens jovens

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the social representations of young men 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. Participants were young men, aged 18-29, sexually active, heterosexual and who had had sexual intercourse in the last 12 months. For data collection, two instruments were used: a questionnaire for the social characterization of the group and a semi-structured interview. In the group investigated, 100 young men responded to the questionnaire and 30 to the interview. All ethical procedures were respected, that is, the research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee and all participants signed the Free and Informed Consent Form. The quantitative data were organized in an Excel 2016 software spreadsheet and treated using uni and bivariate statistics. The discursive information from the interviews was transcribed and stored in a file in Microsoft Word 2010 Software and processed using the content analysis technique, in the thematic-categorical modality. The characterization of the young men shows that 64% were aged 18-24; self-declared white color 56%; 50% lived with their parents; 46% did not have a partner/girlfriend; and 63% had an employment relationship. In relation to sexual practices, 76% had their first sexual intercourse between the ages of 15-18; 50% reported using it in all sexual relations; in the last 12 months, 78% reported sexual relations with a steady partner and of these, 34% reported using condoms; In the group investigated, 47% never negotiate the use of condoms. Regarding knowledge about the transmission of STIs, 90% say they know; 55% have never been tested for STI detection. In the analysis of the discursive findings, four categories emerged: young men's knowledge about sexually transmitted infections; strategies adopted by young men to prevent sexually transmitted infections; images and feelings of young people in relation to sexually transmitted infections and prevention practices; condom use by young people and factors that favor vulnerability to STIs. It is possible to understand from the data that young men demonstrate some knowledge about STIs, anchor infections to the image of HIV and manifestations of AIDS and recognize condoms as a method of preventing STIs. Condoms, although not used frequently by the group, are more commonly used in occasional relationships. Young men's STI prevention practices are anchored in sociocultural aspects of the group they belong to and denote the assumption of more vulnerable sexual behaviors that compromise the integrity of young men's sexual health. Young men recognize the risk that STIs pose to their health, however, they modulate their sexual practices based on a feeling of trust in their partners. Health education actions, clarification on the topic and awareness raising among the group of young men would be relevant and could help reduce these problems.