Resumo

MENEZES, Valdenice Aparecida de et al. Knowledge of university students about the National Health System. RFO UPF [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.2, pp. 181-189. ISSN 1413-4012.

Introduction: the National Health System, main responsible for health care in the national territory, was basically built by higher education institutions. Objective: the objective of this study is to verify the knowledge of students about the National Health System. Materials and methods: the sample was composed by 446 students of health area courses of the Caruaruense Association of Higher Education, enrolled in the initial and final levels. The data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire consisting of 19 questions. Data collection was carried out by the researchers in the classrooms of each health area course of the institution. There were used descriptive and inferential statistics techniques. For analysis and association tests chi-square or Fisher Exact were used . The considered error margin was 5.0%. Results: it was verified the correct knowledge of the university, regardless of the course's year, about the concept (68.3%), principles (84.8%), the field of action (67.8%), and the National Health Fund (57.9%). Regarding the municipalization (42.1%), epidemiological surveillance (49.3%), and Health Council (47.0%), the percentage of correct responses was lower in both, first and last year's university students. Conclusion: most university students have demonstrated good knowledge about the National Health System, which is consistent with the majority statement that they have received enough information on the topic during academic formation.

Palavras-chave : Perception.; Public health.; Unified Health System..