Nursing and drug treatment of syphilis from the perspective of Socio-Humanist Theory

Abstract

Objective: to examine nursing’s role in syphilis drug therapy in the primary health care context. Method: this qualitative study of nine primary care nurses in a municipality in Brazil’s Midwest Region was conducted, by interview, from August 2018 to July 2019. Data analysis was based on the Social-Humanist Nursing Theory. Result: nursing’s role was limited to nursing appointments, and took the form of welcoming reception, listening, syphilis detection, medication prescription and administration, and educational activities. The institutional contribution was characterized by preparation of a protocol on medication prescription by nurses and construction of the care flow for users with syphilis. Conclusion: nursing operates autonomously in syphilis drug therapy, seeking to meet user health needs based on its experience and knowledge, institutional support, and teamwork.