Construction of the health promotion concept: comparative study between freshmen and senior Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology students

摘要

PURPOSE: To characterize and compare the knowledge of freshmen (1st period) and senior (8th period) undergraduate Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology students regarding health promotion. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that involved the application of 92 forms to 1st and 8th period Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology students. Data analysis was conducted in three stages: descriptive analysis of closed questions, statistical analysis crossing the answers of both groups, and qualitative analysis of the open questions of the form. RESULTS: Most interviewees attended classes directed to the theme of health promotion; more than a third of them participated in extracurricular activities or practices on the theme. Most subjects reported to know the concept of health promotion and to intend to create health promotion actions. Freshmen students reported empirical concepts of health promotion, and confused prevention with promotion. Among senior students, the confusion exists in smaller quantities. Thus, although the training process favor the acquisition of adequate concepts of health promotion, terminology confusion still remains. CONCLUSION: The undergraduate program in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology of the students interviewed contributes for the construction of the concept of health promotion, however, there is confusion between the terms health prevention and promotion among both groups of students. Data evidence the importance to discuss the health promotion theme during the formation process of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.