Perceptions and knowledge in primary health care and career intention at the first level of care: a cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.8021.4974Keywords:
Nursing; Primary Health Care; Perception; Knowledge; Intention; Work.Abstract
Objective: to determine the association between perceptions of nursing work and knowledge of primary health care with regard to career intentions in primary care. Method: an analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 740 university nursing students. Career intentions in primary care, perceptions of nursing work, and knowledge of primary health care were assessed using validated ad hoc instruments. A bivariate analysis and a median quantile regression analysis were performed. Results: a high career intention (66.8%), an unfavorable perception of nursing work (53.0%), and a moderate level of knowledge (67.0%) were predominant. Career intention was positively associated with perceptions of the work (adjusted coefficient: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.39-0.53), with self-perceived readiness for the job, and with plans to pursue a specialization. Male gender and the intention to study at private universities were negatively associated. No significant association was found with knowledge. Conclusion: favorable perceptions of nursing work in primary care increase the intention to pursue a career at this level, while knowledge about primary care does not appear to have an influence. Addressing perceptions of the work during university education is essential to promote the professional interest of future nurses.
Downloads
References
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.
