The Prevention of sexually transmitted infections in gay men: social representations study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2025.87934Keywords:
Sexual and Gender Minorities, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Social RepresentationAbstract
Objective: to analyze social representations about prevention practices for sexually transmitted infections among young gay men. Method: a qualitative study grounded on the Theory of Social Representations and with a procedural approach was conducted with 27 young homosexual men in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The participants were subjected to semi-structured interviews from October to December 2023. Lexical analysis was used with the aid of the IRaMuTeQ software. All ethical aspects were respected. Results: the analysis showed that men recognize Sexually Transmitted Infections as a problem for their sexual health. They stated seeking information about these infections and undergoing regular care and examinations. Preventive practices are modulated according to sex partners. Final considerations: gay men's social representations about infections and forms of transmission are anchored in biomedical knowledge; however, their preventive practices are shaped by cultural, psychosocial, affective and attitudinal dimensions.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Andressa Silva Medeiros, Thelma Spindola, Sérgio Corrêa Marques, Elisa da Conceição Silva Barros, Vinícius Rodrigues Fernandes da Fonte, Hugo de Andrade Peixoto, Rodrigo Leite Hipólito
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