Representações sociais das infecções sexualmente transmissíveis e as práticas de prevenção de jovens universitários

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the social representations of sexually transmitted infections and prevention practices among university students. It is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, supported by the theory of social representations, in its procedural and structural approaches. Two hundred university students, aged between 18 and 29, participated in the study, and three instruments were applied: a questionnaire for social characterization, sexual practices, and infection prevention, a free word association form, and a semi-structured interview guide. Data collection occurred during the periods of 2019-2020 and 2023 on a university campus located in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The data were recorded in Excel software and processed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. In the second phase, the data from the free associations were processed using the Ensemble de Programmes Permettant L'analyse des Evocations (Evoc) software, resulting in a four-quadrant chart. The interviews were analyzed using the categorical thematic content analysis technique. The analysis of the structure of social representations about "STI" revealed that the terms AIDS, syphilis, and sex constitute the probable central core of these representations, demonstrating that STI are perceived by the group as diseases transmitted through sexual activity. Regarding the term "prevention," condom, care, health, and pill were the cognemes present in the probable central core, indicating that this term is associated with health care. The term "condom" was the most readily evoked by the students; however, the pill is used to prevent pregnancy but not against STI. The terms indicate cognitive, affective, and biomedical dimensions that dialogue with the six categories that emerged in the content analysis. The results indicate that although university students have access to information and understand the importance of STI prevention practices during sexual intercourse, this knowledge alone does not guarantee the regular use of condoms. The research highlights that although students recognize some STI and the importance of preventive practices for sexual health care, there is a gap between scientific knowledge and the adoption of preventive behaviors. More comprehensive and sensitive educational strategies tailored to the students' realities would be timely to promote behavioral changes within the group. The university plays a relevant role in this scenario, contributing to the dissemination of knowledge and the transformation of perceptions. It is concluded that the social representations of STI and prevention practices among university students are anchored in knowledge related to infections and self-care; however, cultural and social factors, as well as trust in affective relationships, shape students' sexual behaviors and influence their adherence to preventive practices.