A percepção dos adolescentes sobre a atenção à saúde em Unidades de Saúde da Família (USF)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the adolescents' perception about the health care received at Family Health Units (FHU). This was a qualitative exploratory-descriptive study, carried out with 21 adolescents registered in the FHU of the 6th health region of the city of Maceió, with ages ranging from 10 to 19 years, whose testimonies were collected through a semi-structured interview. Content analysis was performed by Bardin, and after data organization and reflection about the findings, the following categories of analysis emerged:1) Being a teenager in the context of FHU; 2) The biologiscist hegemonic model of health care: attendance restricted to clinical demand; and 3) The voice of the teenager: what do I expect from FHU? It is concluded that the adolescents have specific peculiarities to the age group, that under condition of their life context is exposed to risk factors potentially enhancing their vulnerabilities. The adolescent perceives the service offered by the FHU as na emergency service, unaware of the health care network, and the primary care function. The biologicist attention model continues to be hegemonically perpetuated as a model of health care, and much effort is still needed to change this paradigm. Regarding reception and care, the adolescents expect that in the FHU they will be heard, understood, informed, and a bov all, welcomed with empathy.