Representações sociais de estudantes universitários sobre a Covid-19 e sua influência sobre práticas de prevenção.

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the social representations of university students about Covid-19 and its influence on adherence to disease prevention practices. Method: this is a descriptive research, of a qualitative nature, which used the theoretical-methodological framework of the Theory of Social Representations by Moscovici and Abric. Data collection took place in two stages. In the first one, an online questionnaire with the Free Word Association Technique was applied to a sample of 352 university students. In the second stage, interviews were carried out, of the open type, with 25 students. For data analysis, IRAMUTEQ® software, version 0.7 alpha 2, was used, developing the method of Descending Hierarchical Classification, prototypical analysis and similarity analysis. To analyze the interviews, the technique of Content Analysis was used, in the thematic modality. Results: the results pointed to social representations of fear of contamination and transmission, of the disease, of the dying process and of the death of loved ones, which favor adherence to prevention measures. However, social representations were identified that denote weaknesses in the integral adoption of preventive measures, mainly related to the central representation of vulnerability to the disease inherent to risk groups, linked to the lack of perception of their own vulnerability. Conclusions: this research is important for the construction and implementation of new strategies for the prevention of the disease, directing managers and health professionals in the development of measures, mainly in health education, that aim at greater adherence of the population to preventive measures.