Implementation of men's health care policy in the Northeast of Brazil: dialoguing with Brazilian National Health System (SUS) managers, workers and patients in Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

This study is part of a qualitative multi-center study assessing the implementation of the National Policy for Comprehensive Men's Health Care in the Northeast of Brazil, focusing on the state of Pernambuco and its capital, Recife. We adopted an operational public policy analysis model to investigate implementation context and processes, policy content and actors involved. The main findings were as follows: a) the construction of memories of policy history redresses the precariousness of the non-institutionalization present in its origin; b) there is a shortage of resources due to lack of indicators; c) high leadership turnover hampers continuity of actions; d) different recording methods across municipalities compromises data uniformity; and e) there is a need for continuous training for health teams.