Inserção dos agentes de controle de vetores junto às equipes de saúde na atenção básica

Abstract

This study analyzed the insertion process of sanitary agents in Primary Health Care Units (PHCU) in a city São José do Rio Preto-SP, indicated as Health Agents (HA). This represented an important step to improve the effectiveness of the dengue control program. A case study was developed, using direct observation of 300 research participants’ statements as a data collection instrument, during the municipal health secretary forums in the interior of São Paulo State. Content analysis was applied, identifying five categories: contradictions of the Unified Health System (UHS); integration of health agents with UHS principles: lack of intersectoriality; health agents’ perception and health education through the forums. The health agents reported on the need for permanent discussion forums and difficulties to accomplish intersectoriality. They cooperate with community participation to constructautonomy and citizenship and feel more valued by participating in the PHCU team. This study permitted understanding the HA’s insertion and enhanced greater approximation with their praxis, as dengue control is complex and involves socio-environmental issues. Also, a new route was appointed to improve relations between workers and users and between workers and the health team in dengue control.