A educação popular em saúde: estudo integrativo da literatura

Abstract

This study aims to further delineate the field of theoretical production of popular health education, considered as the product of the theoretical formulations applied to health and education, especially as a tool for social participation of individuals in organized social movements, disputing the direction of policy social in the country. An integrative literature review, which covered national publications in the period 2000-2012 was performed. 209 articles were identified. However, 27 were considered of greater interest because they are related to the theme of popular health education. After acquiring copies and have performed the reading of articles, only 11 were selected scientific articles produced by the academic research community, published in Portugal on popular health education. The results showed that the journal that published the largest number of articles on popular health education was at Primary Health Care Magazine After 2000, there was an increasing publication. The designs of most frequent research were qualitative and quantitative approach, reflective studies and action research. The study indicates by papers published in the journals analyzed that popular education in health is a dynamic and complex process that is altered by a number of different factors, factors that directly influence the health of the population. One can even say that the national health research is recent and is still under construction, but it is necessary that the publications as articles receive more attention from authors, editors, analysts and vehicles of publication to improve the rigor evidences the quality of publications. Generally, the reflections that arise in the constant effort to meet, learn and power shall be considered as temporary and unfinished.