Abstract

CASTANEDA GAMBOA, Gloria Irina  and  DELGADO G, Mª Eugenia. BARRIERS, OPPORTUNITIES AND TACTICS ACCORDING TO PARTICIPATE IN HEALTH ACCORDING TO VALLE DEL CAUCA, COLOMBIA USER ASSOCIATIONS. Hacia promoc. Salud [online]. 2015, vol.20, n.2, pp.59-76. ISSN 0121-7577.  https://doi.org/10.17151/hpsal.2015.20.2.6.

Objective: To identify and describe the barriers and opportunities to participate in the General System of Social Security in Health, perceived by User Associations of Valle del Cauca and to reveal the tactics they build to ensure their participation. Materials and Methods: Exploratory qualitative study in the Municipalities of Cali, Jamundí, La Cumbre, Riofrío and Tuluá through focus groups to members (86) of 11 Users' Associations from the public and private sector. A content analysis with mixed categories and data segmentation by municipality, sector and themes was made. The study ended in January 2013. Results: Members of the User Associations identified more obstacles than opportunities to participate because of the following factors: lack of knowledge, apathy, lack of organization, fear of reprisals, absence of institutional support, lack of recognition to their efforts, political manipulation, and restricted access to information, among others. They perceived as opportunities: self-recognition, the need to help others and the support of some institutions, especially public ones. The tactics constructed to guarantee their participation are to strengthen social networking and persistent work. Conclusions: The results reveal that Users' Associations are self-critical solidary actors that in addition to a perception of achievement and persistent work, place them as decisive actors in the construction of interaction and dialogue scenarios with health institutions and the Government, leading to a social construction of better health services. Only changes in the same direction from health institutions would be urgent and necessary.

Keywords : Community participation; social perception; external and internal control; public health policies; qualitative research.

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