Abstract

ESCOBAR POTES, María del Pilar et al. HEALTH EDUCATION IN A STATE HEALTHCARE FACILITY: MANIZALES, 2008. Hacia promoc. Salud [online]. 2009, vol.14, n.1, pp.54-67. ISSN 0121-7577.

Objective: the description of the characteristics of Health Education, aimed at hypertensive patients in a public health facility in Manizales during 2008. Methodology: a qualitative study with a descriptive character was carried out. The information was obtained by means of semi-structured interviews to the persons responsible for the program, and direct observation of educational activities and the resources used. The data was analyzed taking into account the following categories: planning, implementation and evaluation of Health Education, knowledge on regulations, educational resources and infrastructure, and personnel training in Health Education. The findings were compared with theoretical knowledge. Results: the Health Education planning is conducted annually by a health area professional and carried out by poorly trained nursing assistants for its development. The users call is made on a weekly basis by various means. Some healthcare facilities have adequate infrastructure for implementing activities. The development of the educational sessions does not follow guidelines to ensure the achievement of objectives, and they lack evaluation. Conclusions: considering that the health-disease state is a dynamic process and as such requires interventions according to needs that arise, including those related to Health Education, performing diagnosis and proposing annual goals for fulfilling said needs, is not always relevant. This may affect the effectiveness of the programs.

Keywords : Education; community health education; hypertension.

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