CARE FOR TOBACCO USERS

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE APPROACHES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Introduction: Smoking is a chronic disease caused by nicotine addiction and is considered a mental and behavioral disorder. In Brazil, the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) seeks to reduce the prevalence of smokers and related diseases, with emphasis on actions in Primary Health Care (PHC) and cognitive-behavioral approaches. Objective: To analyze the challenges faced by professionals in the PHC Network, in municipality in southern Brazil, in relation to care for smokers within the scope of the PNCT. Method: Exploratory, descriptive study with a quanti-qualitative approach. A questionnaire with open and closed questions related to the research objectives was used, sent to all PHC workers in the municipality who had completed training linked to the PNCT (n=54). 42 participants responded. For the qualitative stage, a conversation circle was held with seven participants from the initial stage who declared interest in participating in the second stage of the study. Descriptive analysis (quantitative data) and content analysis (qualitative material) were performed. Results: The initial training of the PNCT was well evaluated by 73.8% of the participants, but still insufficient to conduct the actions. There are weaknesses in the longitudinality of care, administrative difficulties and lack of collaboration in the teams. The professionals prefer to use the user-centered approach (singularized) and emphasized the need for continuing health education for the workers of the service, including other team members, at the technical level. The restricted physical space and challenges in teamwork hindered the development of the actions. As potentialities, the importance of the multiprofessional team, support from local management and training on the subject is highlighted. Conclusion: Care for smokers requires a singular, flexible and user-centered approach, emphasizing listening and welcoming. It is important to strengthen the teams to expand the capillarity of the PNCT actions, as well as updates to the Program.