Entre desafios e potencialidades: avaliação da participação comunitária em um programa de controle da esquistossomose e de promoção da saúde

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the process of community participation (CP) in a second stage of a schistosomiasis control and health promotion program (PPC-SPJII). It was a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR), with evaluation feature, conduced with residents of São Pedro do Jequitinhonha, a rural district of Jequitinhonha MG. Data collection was performed through a structured questionnaire, applied both to community members and researchers, and by means of group sessions and informal interviews. In order to evaluate the extent of CP reached, the data from the questionnaire were applied to the spidergram framework. To analyze the data obtained through group sessions and informal interviews, the content analysis technique was utilized. The study indicated that the CBPR approach enabled a critical consciousness development, the capacity building of community members in regard to the use of inquiry methodologies, the mutual respect building and the development of mutual trust among community members and researchers. Furthermore, it leaded to the achievement of specific results such as the partial acquisition of fund to buy an ambulance vehicle for the district, the conclusion of the statute and the organization of the Local Health Council and the dispatch of a document to the political managers soliciting the implementation of a channelized sewage system at the place. It was possible to apprehend that the extent of CP was satisfactory in relation to the planning, decision-making, activities implementation and communication established among partners. And was perceived as narrow in regard to financial resources and monitoring and evaluation, indicating large dependence of external funds and community members insufficient ownership of data obtained. It was encountered variations in scoring in relation to both groups of respondents, so that a definitive conclusion about the extent of PC was elusive. When compared to the program first stage, it was verified that the level of CP has suffered slight changes. The study enabled the apprehension of factors related to the political-economic, community capacity and community organization contexts that contribute to or hinders CP. By means of this data it is plausible to suggest that such factors must be observed and handled in participatory program implementation. It is concluded that the association of the different methods of data gathering and analysis utilized has enabled a deepened comprehension about the factors that shaped CP in PPC-SPJII. The findings of this study can contribute to the implementation of further participatory programs in place, so they might be able to promote a more empowering CP and engender sustainable actions.