Comparison of the level of Fear of Death among Nursing and Pedagogy students.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the level of Fear of Death among students of Nursing and Pedagogy courses.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study of a quantitative approach developed with university students from two courses, one around health sciences and the other around human sciences. A random sampling was adopted, calculations based on the principle of power analysis and the 95% confidence interval, and the cutoff point at 100 in relation to the overall score of the Collett-Lester Death Fear Scale for analysis of variables after the application of the Scale.

RESULTS

The data present that the related variables of gender, age, presence of children and loss of a loved one, showed an association with greater Fear of Death in both groups, with statistical significance for most dimensions of the EMMCL. The women presented a higher score in the four dimensions of the EMMCL for both groups. A statistically significant strong negative correlation was identified between age and the level of Fear of Death.

CONCLUSION

It is important to create areas in undergraduate courses, whether around health sciences or humanities, enabling a discussion on Thanatology, so that students have some preparation in dealing with issues associated with the greatest Fear of Death and to view it as a natural process and relevant to everyone. Thus, in their professional practice, it will assist to minimize the emotional suffering of patients and family members.