Sentidos de saúde, cuidado e risco para adolescentes residentes na favela da Maré, no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract

This is a qualitative study about the meanings of health, care and risk to Brazilian adolescents living in the Maré favela, in Rio de Janeiro. The analysis is oriented by reflections on the epidemiological perspective that classifies this age group as a risk group, and the media impacts on social relations, through the increase of the circulation of information on the subject. The research had as source the group discussions with adolescents aged between 14 and 16 years old. The study showed competing discourses regarding the risk culture, family traditions and the context of violence in everyday life of the participants. The study highlights the mediation of mothers, physicians working in primary care and the media on the social construction of these meanings.