CALÇADA AMIGA

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic non-communicable diseases are a major public health challenge. Within this group, Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus deserve to be highlighted, because coping with it requires a lot of health services. In the reality of Primary Care, there is emphasis on educational activities, especially for Popular Health Education, where Calçada Amiga fits. Objective: To address the experience of popular health education activity entitled "Calçada Amiga" as an instrument of protection, prevention and health promotion in Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus in a Primary Health Care service in the city of Mossoró/ RN. Methodology: This is an experience report of a popular health education activity developed in the territory of a Basic Health Unit of the Municipality of Mossoró/ RN during the year 2022. Results and Discussion: 13 actions were performed. Regarding Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus, there was some difficulty in adherence to treatment, with reports both in the practice of physical exercise and in proper nutrition, in addition to the use of medications. Still on the difficulties in adherence, many of them stated an underutilization of health services, especially the UBS. It was possible to observe the validity of Popular Health Education through affirmations of positive evaluation of the method adopted for the activities, with good acceptance, frequency and community return. Conclusions: The activity allowed the strengthening of the bond between the Basic Health Unit and the community through immersion in the territory with moments of horizontal dialogues and active listening, professionals about the reality of the subjects assisted in the service. For the community, it allowed a moment of speech and listening, expressing their desires, fears and difficulties about the conditions, becoming active in the health/disease process.

Keywords: Health Education, Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Primary Health Care.