Some views of health professionals and basic health care unit users concerning nutritional education

Authors

  • Wanessa Françoise da Silva Aquino Universidade Presidente Antonio Carlos, Faculdade de Nutrição, MG, Brasil
  • Soraia Augusta da Silva Campos Universidade Presidente Antonio Carlos, Faculdade de Nutrição, MG, Brasil
  • Denise de Castro Barbosa Friedrich Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Faculdade de Enfermagem, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3395/reciis.v1i2.905

Keywords:

Nutritional education, implementation, public health

Abstract

Nutritional education is a participatory process of knowledge acquisition concerning a healthy diet. The implementation of nutritional education in the public health care system is put into question based on a survey carried out with health professionals, and with users of one Basic Health Care Unit (UBS). The execution of nutritional education requires health professional specific knowledge in order to approach alimentary problems. The nutritionist is not duly involved in the public health care. Based on quantitative and qualitative methodologies, eight UBS health professionals were interviewed in order to verify their professional and personal experiences concerning nutritional education. There were 306 users interviewed, which is a representative sample of the population which is assisted by the UBS, in order to analyze the influence of such activity in their health. The interview results show that the professionals have some difficulty in approaching information concerning alimentation and that they believe there is some room for a nutritionist's participation in a multi-disciplinary team. Around 97% of the users believe that nutrition interferes in their life quality and 19.28% of them believe that nutrition problems are related to education. Nutritional education, as a structured program, does not exist. The mobilization of nutritionists in the exercise of their function and in meeting demands of health professionals and health care users is necessary.

Published

2007-12-01

How to Cite

Aquino, W. F. da S., Campos, S. A. da S., & Friedrich, D. de C. B. (2007). Some views of health professionals and basic health care unit users concerning nutritional education. Revista Eletrônica De Comunicação, Informação & Inovação Em Saúde, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.3395/reciis.v1i2.905

Issue

Section

Original articles