HEALTH AND CARE IN THE PERCEPTION OF ADOLESCENT STUDENTS: CONTRIBUTIONS TO NURSING PRACTICE

Abstract

The study aimed to describe the perceptions of adolescents about health and care. It is descriptive research with a qualitative approach, undertaken with 15 adolescents from a state school in Fortaleza-Ceará, in the period August to October of 2009. The focus group was used as a data collection strategy. The content was analyzed using the technique of categorical data analysis by theme, with the following categories emerging: Perceptions of health for adolescents and Perceptions of care for adolescents. The participants conceive of ‘health’ as a personal attitude associated with physical exercise and good eating habits. ‘Care’ is close to the notion of health, via maintenance of social relations, but also in a relationship with illness and the search for medical services. In this way, reflecting adolescents’ perceptions about health and care permits the stimulation of their co-responsibility, directing nursing practices toward this specific population.

Keywords

• Adolescent
• School health
• Nursing