TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence of health promotion programs in primary health care units in Brazil
AU - Ramos, Luiz Roberto
AU - Malta, Deborah Carvalho
AU - Gomes, Grace Angélica de Oliveira
AU - Bracco, Mário M.
AU - Florindo, Alex Antonio
AU - Mielke, Gregore Iven
AU - Parra, Diana C.
AU - Lobelo, Felipe
AU - Simoes, Eduardo J.
AU - Hallal, Pedro Curi
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - OBJECTIVE: Assessment of prevalence of health promotion programs in primary health care units within Brazil's health system. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study based on telephone interviews with managers of primary care units. Of a total 42,486 primary health care units listed in the Brazilian Unified Health System directory, 1,600 were randomly selected. Care units from all five Brazilian macroregions were selected proportionally to the number of units in each region. We examined whether any of the following five different types of health promotion programs was available: physical activity; smoking cessation; cessation of alcohol and illicit drug use; healthy eating; and healthy environment. Information was collected on the kinds of activities offered and the status of implementation of the Family Health Strategy at the units. RESULTS: Most units (62.0%) reported having in place three health promotion programs or more and only 3.0% reported having none. Healthy environment (77.0%) and healthy eating (72.0%) programs were the most widely available smoking and alcohol use cessation were reported in 54.0% and 42.0% of the units. Physical activity programs were offered in less than 40.0% of the units and their availability varied greatly nationwide, from 51.0% in the Southeast to as low as 21.0% in the North. The Family Health Strategy was implemented in most units (61.0%); however, they did not offer more health promotion programs than others did. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that most primary care units have in place health promotion programs. Public policies are needed to strengthen primary care services and improve training of health providers to meet the goals of the agenda for health promotion in Brazil.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Assessment of prevalence of health promotion programs in primary health care units within Brazil's health system. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study based on telephone interviews with managers of primary care units. Of a total 42,486 primary health care units listed in the Brazilian Unified Health System directory, 1,600 were randomly selected. Care units from all five Brazilian macroregions were selected proportionally to the number of units in each region. We examined whether any of the following five different types of health promotion programs was available: physical activity; smoking cessation; cessation of alcohol and illicit drug use; healthy eating; and healthy environment. Information was collected on the kinds of activities offered and the status of implementation of the Family Health Strategy at the units. RESULTS: Most units (62.0%) reported having in place three health promotion programs or more and only 3.0% reported having none. Healthy environment (77.0%) and healthy eating (72.0%) programs were the most widely available smoking and alcohol use cessation were reported in 54.0% and 42.0% of the units. Physical activity programs were offered in less than 40.0% of the units and their availability varied greatly nationwide, from 51.0% in the Southeast to as low as 21.0% in the North. The Family Health Strategy was implemented in most units (61.0%); however, they did not offer more health promotion programs than others did. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that most primary care units have in place health promotion programs. Public policies are needed to strengthen primary care services and improve training of health providers to meet the goals of the agenda for health promotion in Brazil.
KW - Health centers
KW - Health programs and plans
KW - Health promotion
KW - Health surveys
KW - Primary health care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84912091082&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1590/S0034-8910.2014048005249
DO - 10.1590/S0034-8910.2014048005249
M3 - Article
C2 - 25372175
AN - SCOPUS:84912091082
SN - 0034-8910
VL - 48
SP - 837
EP - 844
JO - Revista de saude publica
JF - Revista de saude publica
IS - 5
ER -