Banca de DEFESA: SAMIRA MARIA BELARMINO DA SILVA
Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.STUDENT : SAMIRA MARIA BELARMINO DA SILVA
DATE: 30/07/2026
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Remoto
TITLE:
KEY WORDS:
Digital inclusion. Digital literacy. Aging. Loneliness. Intergenerational relations.
PAGES: 118
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Saúde Coletiva
SUBÁREA: Epidemiologia
SUMMARY:
Introduction: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play a fundamental role in daily life, enabling access to health services, information, and social interactions. However, the digital divide remains a significant challenge for the elderly population—particularly in contexts of social vulnerability—characterized by limitations regarding access, connectivity, support, and the skills required to use these technologies. Objective: To investigate digital proficiency regarding mobile devices and associated factors among socially vulnerable individuals in the municipality of Cuité, Paraíba. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 80 elderly participants from the Social Coexistence and Bond Strengthening Service (SCFV) at the Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS) in Cuité, Paraíba. Four instruments were used: a structured sociodemographic questionnaire based on national health surveys; the Brazilian Loneliness Scale (UCLA-BR); the Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ); and a questionnaire on digital technology use and intergenerational interaction. To classify digital proficiency profiles, cluster analysis was performed using Ward’s agglomerative method. Associations between digital proficiency clusters and variables related to sociodemographics, access to and use of digital technologies, and intergenerational interaction were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test, where applicable. Loneliness was assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 21). Results: Three digital proficiency profiles were identified: high, moderate, and low proficiency. Overall digital proficiency was low. The domains with the highest mean scores were basic mobile device functions (3.34) and entertainment (2.06), indicating a greater perceived ease in performing these tasks. Proficiency was associated with higher levels of education, with better performance observed among elderly individuals with higher education and those in the younger age group (60–69 years). Furthermore, having a mobile internet plan, using WhatsApp, and owning a smartphone were also factors associated with digital proficiency profiles. Loneliness levels were low. No significant correlation was observed between digital proficiency and loneliness (ρ = −0.021; p = 0.853). Likewise, no significant association was found between living with younger people and digital proficiency (p > 0.05). Final considerations: The study contributes to expanding knowledge on digital inclusion within a socially vulnerable context—specifically, a small municipality in the interior of the Northeast region that has been little explored in the literature. However, it should be noted that the sample size may limit this analysis, indicating a need for studies involving larger and more heterogeneous populations.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2305247 - ISABELLE RIBEIRO BARBOSA MIRABAL
Interno - 1297190 - ELEAZAR MARINHO DE FREITAS LUCENA
Externa à Instituição - TALITA ARAUJO DE SOUZA - UFPE