Intervenções de proximidade "lado a lado com a comunidade"

Abstract

The present report in the scope of a Masters Degree in Nursing with specialization in Community Nursing, aims to reflect the curricular unit post-graduate training, divided in three distinct modules. The first and second modules were carried out in a work environment, specifically in the Odivelas Health Centre (CSO) and the third module took place in the Community Care Unit – UCC Nostra Pontinha – in the Pontinha Health Centre. Cultural diversity is today an unquestionable reality in our societies, leading to important changes in different sectors. In the health sector, nurses that intervene in the community take upon relevant challenges. In the municipality of Odivelas there are boroughs, namely Bairro Vale do Forno, where multiculturalism is a reality and can be found groups that seem to live in risk of exclusion, precariousness and great vulnerability. Based on these worries in Module I health diagnostic took place in Bairro Vale do Forno. Forms were given to 30% of the population, which corresponds to a 130 families that represents a sample of 401 individuals. It was ascertained: 12 different nationalities have been identified in the cultural diversity; a lack of access to health care – 36,80% of the study sample have no family doctor, this meaning that the individuals that don’t take care of their health are mainly emigrants; in case of illness, when questioned , the sample subjects go more frequently to the hospital with a percentage of 30,9%. In regard to the referred pathologies given by the sample subjects when questioned, a variety of pathologies were identified, being the cardiovascular pathology the most popular with 22,54%, next came osteoarticular and musculoskeletal pathologies with 17,84% and last endocrine pathology with 13’15%. In Module II and based on the facts found priorities were defined and intervention projects established. With the elaboration and implementation of the project “Our heart needs attention” in the area of cardiovascular illness, with the intend to promote cardiovascular prevention and encourage each inhabitant of the borough to be responsible for their own health. The elaboration of the project “Closeness to Health”, with the use of a mobile unit, ambitions to contribute better access to health care and increase the level of health in the different life cycles, in vulnerable groups. Based on the idea of obtaining a mobile unit to be used in Bairro Vale do Forno, the UCC Nostra Pontinha was chosen for the execution of Module III. Previous knowledge of the developed activities in this unit created learning expectations and diverse experiences passable to transfer to the project “Closeness to Health”. Apart from this aspect, the team’s dynamic integration was useful in development of knowledge of the school health programme, in the scope of sexual transmissible diseases, and in the training, not only for the general population, but also for the different professionals of the team, integrated in the continuous learning programme. This route contributed to the personal and professional development, promoter of competencies for a Specialist Nurse in Community Nursing, essential for given proper care to a person, group and community.

Date of Award	2011
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Amélia Simões Figueiredo (Supervisor)