Prevenção de infecções de transmissão sexual entre homens jovens homossexuais: estudo de representações sociais

Abstract

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are among the health problems that are still prevalent among young people as a result of their sexual behavior and lifestyle habits. The aim of this study was to analyze the social representations of gay men's practices for preventing sexually transmitted infections. This is a descriptive, qualitative investigation based on SRT, using complementary structural and procedural approaches, carried out in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The study participants were 100 sexually active young gay men aged between 18 and 29. Three instruments were used for data collection: a questionnaire for social characterization, sexual practices and STI prevention, a form for capturing free evocations and a semi-structured interview script. The questionnaire and form were first administered to 100 men. Of the respondents, 27 were selected and agreed to take part in the second stage by answering a semi-structured interview between January and March 2024. The findings were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and EVOC and Iramuteq software for lexical analysis. All ethical aspects were respected. The results show that the group had the following social characteristics: they were aged between 26-29 (65%); white (49%); lived with their parents (38%) and did not have a partner (66%). With regard to sexual practices, 38% said they always used condoms during sex; in relationships with steady partners, 19% said they always used condoms, while 59% always used condoms with occasional partners. The analysis of the structure of the representation of the inductive term “STD prevention” identified the elements condoms, PrEP and care in the possible central nucleus. These possibly central elements show that for men with a homosexual orientation, STI prevention is a phenomenon represented by condom use, which can signify care for (sexual) health and the group's concern for self-care. The lexical analysis revealed the presence of five classes: Class 5 - STI prevention strategies and the search for health care, Class 4: Knowledge about STIs, the forms of transmission and associated image, Class 1: Feeling of judgment and prejudice associated with sexual orientation and STIs, Class 3: Lifestyle habits and vulnerabilities in the face of exposure to STIs and Class 2: Sexual behavior, sexual partners and condom use.The findings show that STIs are recognized by gay men and represent an aggravation to their sexual health, as well as describing the feeling of prejudice and judgment towards this public. Young men tend to seek information about these infections and have regular health care and tests. Prevention practices for these infections are modulated according to the sexual partnership. Gay men's social representations of STIs and modes of transmission are anchored in biomedical knowledge, but the group's affective and attitudinal dimensions shape whether or not they adopt preventive practices, being influenced by cultural and psychosocial aspects and affective relationships.