Quilombola women and Paulo Freire’s research itinerary

Abstract

Objective: to understand the relationship of social determinants in health promotion for women living in a quilombola community, through Paulo Freire’s Research Itinerary. Method: a qualitative study, with a participatory character, developed through Paulo Freire’s Research Itinerary. Ten quilombola women aged between 24 and 54 years, living in the Morro do Fortunato Community, Garopaba, Brazil, participated in the study from April to June 2016. During the three-month-period, the thematic research, codification, decoding and critical unveiling were performed. Results: 20 generating themes were initially investigated which were coded and decoded in eight and unveiled in two significant themes, quilombola women and access, which, when unveiled, deepened the empowerment and the relationship with health promotion in this community. Conclusion: this study enabled women to be aware of their realities and consequent empowerment and fruitful reflections which provided an increase in self-esteem, appreciation and self-care, as well as the perception of their strengths, often muted by the adversities of the day to day.