This qualitative study aimed to analyze social representations of short truck drivers about AIDS, HIV transmission and AIDS prevention. 19 truckers of an association of truck drivers in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, were involved. Data production was through semi-structured interviews and thematic content analysis. Three emic categories were identified. The results showed that social representations of AIDS were anchored in these constructs: "bad disease"," dangerous disease ", "incurable disease" and "disease that kills". HIV transmission was related to unprotected sex with sex workers, gays and contaminated blood; AIDS prevention was represented by the use of condoms in extramarital relationships and fidelity of the wives. It was seized that the representations of AIDS are anchored in knowledge at the beginning of the epidemic and are based on the distance of individuals, configuring an important setting for reflection on the vulnerability processes.
social representation; HIV/AIDS; sexuality; vulnerability; man's health
