The general purpose of this study was to examine the effect of training on the acquisition of values in health education among Vila Real Nursing School students, Northern Region, in Trásos-Montes and in Alto Douro, in the municipality of Vila Real, Lordelo, Portugal, compared to those taking other courses. This is a descriptive, comparative, and transverse study. In total, 709 students from seven colleges took place in this research project, and an attempt was made to include authors intervening in the health education process, who replied to a self-completion questionnaire in the period ranging from October to December 2004. Most participants (86.5 percent) believe health education has values to promote, and 'responsibility' is the best value to 19.2 percent of the students. The study showed that it is in the nursing courses that most progress is made in terms of values, with highly significant differences (p < 0.001). Additionally, it also revealed that the 4th year students' average was higher than the 1st year's. These results are evidence of the need there is, in such courses, to work on the values underlying the process, which are so necessary for the performance of these professions.
social values; health education; training; fairness
