CHILD AND TEENAGER HEALTH HANDBOOK SUBUTILIZATION BY CUSTMERS AND PROFESSIONALS: IS IT A KNOWLEDGE AND APPROPRIATION QUESTION?

Introduction and Objectives The underutilization of the Child and Teenager Health Handbook by health care professionals was noted in the family health strategy of Nova Colina-DF, a unit of primary health care of the Unified Health System (SUS). Using these handbooks correctly supports the work process and empowers the customers. Since the interventions directed at the professionals proved more efficient than those made directly with the population, the former was the chosen approach. The objectives are to motivate and promote the use of the Healthy Handbook by customers by means of the health professionals. Methods Marguerez’s Arc was used, composted by reality observation, key-words definition, theorization, search for solution hypothesis and reality application. Three interventions were held in culture circle of health education based on the Paulo Freire’s method and pre and post tests were applied. Results and Conclusion The professional participants of the three culture circle had a better performance on post test comparing to the pre test. It was noted that professionals were not aware of the handbook’s themes, by the lack of training for using them, disinterest in relation to the content, lack of comprehension of their relevance as an easier work process, besides disinterest from the customers on inquiring professionals about handbook’s content The interventions motivated the professionals to use the handbooks as an informative instrument and to give solution proposals to improve their use. The handbook stopped being considered only a “fill-in document” and became an work facilitator and an informative font to the customers.