Abstract

CASTANHA, Alessandra Ramos  and  ARAUJO, Ludgleydson Fernandes de. Social representations of communitarian health´s agents about aids. Psicol. teor. prat. [online]. 2006, vol.8, n.1, pp. 17-30. ISSN 1516-3687.

This research had as objective to gather the social representations (RS) of Communitarian Health’s Agents (ACSs) regarding AIDS. Seventy ACSs of both genders and average age of 26 years participated in this study. It was utilized as instruments the Test of Free Association of Words (TALP) and semi-structured interviews. The material collected by the TALP was processed by the Tri-deux-mots software through the factorial analysis of correspondence whereas the material from the interviews was categorized by the thematic analysis of the content. The results indicated the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was anchored to the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (DSTs) and it is represented as an incurable disease in which the suffering is embraced by the imminent death as well as by the prejudice. The main ways of transmission were oral sex, anal sex, contaminated syringes, blood transfusion and maternal milk. The prevention includes the use of condoms, seminars, information and family’s support. It is necessary the conception of public policies of education and promotion in health for the ACSs with the aim of make it available the theoretical-practical resources for the prevention against DSTs and AIDS.

Keywords : Aids; Communitarian health’s agents; Social representations.

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