Jovens cientistas: enfrentamento às arboviroses e participação juvenil no território

Abstract

This study analyzes a Scientific Initiation (SI) program on arboviroses, from the perception of young high school students in Ceilândia – Distrito Federal. Objective: It aims to understand to what extent the SI mobilizes these young people to participate in surveillance and health promotion actions in the territory and understand their motivation to participate in this project. Methodology: The methodology included the analysis of the essays written for the selection to the Training Course for Scientific Initiation in Basic Education and the Arboviroses, the administration of this course, and later a focus group with students to analyze the SI educational process they experienced. Results: The result of the Content Analysis showed that the students’ perception about the SI could be grouped into six categories: students’ motivation for the scientific initiation; the learning process; the training of young scientists; health and environment; youth participation and empowerment, and perceptions of the Public health system in Brazil (SUS).   Conclusion: Confronting arboviroses requires broad-spectrum policies and interventions, and the SI strengthened these young students as subjects of rights, broadened their perception of science, health, relationship with the environment, with the Sistema Único de Saúde and stimulated interest in preventive actions to combat arboviroses in these territories. Submission: 12/19/23| Review: 03/27/24| Approval: 04/24/24