Alcohol and drugs in adolescence: Work process in health in school program

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is characterized as a transition period between childhood and adult life that imposes great physical, cognitive and psychosocial changes. During that period, the adolescent is exposed and vulnerable to the consumption of alcohol and drugs, and has been an scenery where nurses who works in the School Health Programs (SHP) interact with them. In this sense, the interaction between education and health can influence adolescents to become questioners of the risks they are exposed and look together for better options to improve their quality of life. Objective: To analyse the perception and health practices of Nurses working in the School Health Programs of prevention of alcohol and drugs during adolescence. Methods: This is a descriptive and qualitative study carried out in the city of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará, Brazil, with 18 nurses participating in the SHP, who implement actions with adolescents in schools. The data collection took place through a semi structured interview and their organization through thematic analysis. Results: The participants affirmed that the importance of their actions and work is directed to prevent the use of alcohol and drugs among adolescents, excluding the precepts of health promotion. They pointed out that the interaction between education and health is characterized as an effective strategy in the prevention of damages caused by the use of alcohol and drugs, emphasizing the participation of family members during the process of elaboration, application and continuity. It was also evidenced that the educational practices are performed mostly through lectures, characterizing a work centred on clinical, individual and curative practice. Conclusion: Nurses understand that the interaction between health and education is an effective strategy to prevent the use of alcohol and drugs in adolescents, emphasizing the importance of family participation in the process of construction and support of this context. However, it is possible to identify that the actions developed by these professionals are still restricted to modify some behaviours such as to improve their willing of sharing new knowledge.