The rapid HIV-test: Social representations of primary health care professionals

Abstract

Objective: to graspthe the rapid HIV-test social representations built by health professionals in primary health care. Method: qualitative research, based on the structural approach of the Social Representations Theory using the EVOC software for data processing and analysis. Data collection was performed between February and March 2017, in primary health care units in the city of Senhor do Bonfim, state of Bahia, Brazil. Results: for the inducing term "rapid test", the elements present in the central core of social representation were "fear, HIV, diseases, agility". It is noteworthy that the term "fear", evoked by 67% of professionals, presents itself as the most important component according to its hierarchy. Conclusion: when they assumed the freedom to speak for each other, the professionals in this study revealed "fear" as a major element in the rapid test as well as representational elements that accompany AIDS since its emergence.