Abstract
This article discusses the perceptions of young men living in Complexo da Maré, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoption of prevention techniques. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with men between 18 and 29 years of age, conducted at the end of 2022, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The results point to a partial adherence of young people to recommended prevention practices, with low social distancing, but a high vaccination rate and a resistance to negationist discourses, despite describing the favela as an environment that paid little attention to the pandemic. Factors, such as education and the fragility of employment contracts, were predominant in prevention strategies. The internet is the primary source of information accessed by this population and can be strategic for future health communication and education with young men.
Key words:
Men’s health; Masculinity; Youth; COVID-19