Participação social na Estratégia Saúde da Família: um estudo de caso no território de Vila União em Sobral-CE

Abstract

Social participation can be understood as a process of struggle for power and social achievements. This process has been developed within Brazilian society against a great backdrop of oppression and resistance. Concerning the public health in Brazil, given by the SUS (Brazilian National Health System), social participation is realized as a principle guaranteed by the Constitution of 1988 and the Law n. 8.142/1990, later institutionalized through the Health Councils and Conferences. The dissemination of the Family Health Strategy (ESF) has sought to enforce and promote social participation, but there are still many barriers for the materialization of this principle. The purpose of this study is to analyze perceptions among community leaders and health professionals about social participation and the health system in the territory of Vila União, in the municipality of Sobral (state of Ceará). It was adopted a qualitative approach developed through a case study and the used of exploratory-descriptive research between 2012 and 2014. Data were collected through focus groups with community leaders and health professionals from the ESF and it was subjected to content analysis. The results showed some meanings, expressions, achievements, weaknesses and challenges to social participation in the ESF. The meanings presented can be associated with political engagement, social change, demands for social policies, empowerment, collective construction, solidarity and “liberating education”. As for expressions externalized, ESF was conceived as spaces, institutionalized or not, that allow several forms to participate in local health. As achievements, the highlights were the important role of health professionals and community leaders in participatory movements, the conception of Local Board of Health and Social Development (CLDSS), the community inclusion in the process of planning the Health Centre, and the expansion of access to health services. As weaknesses, it was reported the low adherence of health professional to participatory processes, the feeling of disbelief and lack of belonging to the community, some low effectiveness of CLDSS, participation linked to personal benefits, and the weakening of Community Associations. The challenges of social participation are direct linked to the universalization of the right to health, the appreciation of the actors involved in this process, and the strengthening of participatory arenas. Therefore, the study provides important insights about the interface of participation and the production of health care in the ESF, and it contributes to a fair and democratic policy in the SUS.