Percepção e prática da promoção da saúde na estratégia saúde da família em um centro de saúde em São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract

In Brazil, Primary Health Care has in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) a proposal for the reorganization of health services; to this end, it focuses on a paradigm shift based on health promotion principles. Considering this complex scenario of transformation, this study aimed to explore and discuss health staff understanding and their difficulties in carrying out their health related activities in accordance with the theoretical construct of health promotion. This case study is a descriptive and exploratory research, with a qualitative approach, using the thematic analysis technique. The participants in this research were the health professionals who compose the family health teams of a Health Center in the far eastern section of the city of São Paulo. After analyzing the data, it was found that the concepts and practices related to health promotion seem to be linked to the narrower concept of disease prevention. Regarding work organization, health professionals pointed out their activities as structured around closed packages of risk groups, aiming mainly at prevention and cure, highlighting health promotion as occupying a second role. In conclusion, transversal powerful public policies are necessary for transforming the professional background and organization of services from the perspective of health promotion.