Avaliação da atuação do enfermeiro na prevenção de DST/AIDS no programa saúde na escola

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (Aids) represent significant public health problems in Brazil and the whole world. Any sexually active person is susceptible to contract STD/HIV/AIDS. Nonetheless, adolescents are considered very vulnerable subjects. The main objective of this study is to assess the performance of nurses in the prevention of STD/AIDS with adolescents in the School Health Program. This is an evaluation research with quantitative and qualitative approach, conducted from January to November 2013. The subjects in study were 78 nurses working in the School Health Program (SHP) in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. For data collection, we applied the semi-structured interview and the checklist. For data organization and analysis, we used the Method of Meanings Interpretation as reference and the descriptive statistical analysis through the Excel software. The Research Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal do Ceará, under protocol No. 209.337 of February 28, 2013, approved the study. The results show that the vast majority of the subjects in study did not satisfactorily perform the actions recommended by the Ministry of Health for the SHP and therefore did not achieve the expected results in the course of action on Education for Sexual Health, Reproductive Health, and Prevention of STD/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis. Thus, through the checklist, most people reported they did not perform nor achieve the following actions and results: continuous mobilization and sensitization meetings in the area; activities that used participatory methodologies; students training on the themes; students involvement in planning, implementation and evaluation of activities; discussions with the school community about the importance of adolescents participation; inclusion of themes in the political-educational school projects; educational and participatory activities on the themes; adherence of students and school community to the activities developed; and the provision of condoms in schools. However, it is worth mentioning that some subjects in study, through the interviews, reported that such actions happened with the proper periodicity, using appropriate strategies. Nevertheless, we identified several barriers for the non-implementation of these actions by most professionals, involving professional aspects (skills and competencies), administrative and managerial aspects (role of management levels involved in the program), and aspects of the public in question (adolescents and families). In this sense, the study obtained essential information that point to the need for urgent modifications in the program, so that the nurses’ performance collaborates effectively to the promotion of sexual and reproductive health of adolescents assisted by the SHP. Also, for these and the other actors involved fulfill the main objective of the program, which is promoting education and comprehensive care for students, thus leading to an improved quality of life and health of these subjects.