This study investigated the relationships among the symbolic valuation given to eleven descriptor elements of the social representation of AIDS, the level of scientific knowledge about HIV and AIDS, and the information sources about aids. A self-administered questionnaire with closed-ended questions was employed in 150 high school students from a public school. Significant relationships between the elements were identified, that indicated three characterizing factors of the social representation of AIDS: responsibility towards contagion, fear of contagion consequences and aids description. There were also relationships between the symbolic valuation of six elements and four information sources, which corroborated the importance of communication outside the group in the constitution of social representations. However, the relationships between the symbolic valuation of elements and the levels of scientific knowledge were non-significant.
social representation; acquired immune deficiency syndrome; adolescents
