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.