The Family Health Strategy and treatment and prevention of arboviruses: care, health education and vector control

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in the treatment and prevention of arboviruses in areas with high risk of infection. We conducted a qualitative study in Vitória da Conquista based on 22 semi-structured interviews, participant observation and document analysis. We used an analytical framework consisting of the following three dimensions: health care; health education and community mobilization; and vector control. The results reveal limitations of care actions influenced by excessive workload and the care model adopted. Educational practices were predominantly content-based and vertical but included campaign-and hygiene-based community mobilization strategies. Surveillance and control actions were not routinely developed by the teams studied. The limitations identified by this study demonstrate the need to strengthen the FHS as a key strategy for addressing the persistent problem of arboviruses.