Capacitação de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde para a Promoção da Saúde e Prevenção da Violência Contra Mulheres no Território

Abstract

Violence prevention in Primary Care is a strategy for health promotion and has positive effects in reducing physical, mental, and reproductive health harms for women. The Community Health Agent (ACS) plays an important role in welcoming and supporting women. This study stems from an interest in developing an intervention project focused on gender-based violence in two Basic Health Units (UBS) in the municipality. Objective: To train Community Health Agents on the topic of gender-based violence, linking violence with the health/disease process, understanding the impact of violence on women’s health, and learning about the organization of the Response Network in the municipality, particularly within the UBS catchment area. The project aimed to understand the challenges ACS face, the strengths of their work, and the gaps in their training and practice, contributing to violence prevention for women in the territory. Methodology: An intervention project conducted through the design, application, and evaluation of a training course for Community Health Agents from three teams across two Basic Health Units in Contagem, Minas Gerais. Two training course formats were offered, with 12-hour and 4-hour durations. A third group did not participate in the training but was evaluated for comparative purposes regarding knowledge on the topic. The training content addressed structural sexism, the impact of violence on women’s health, and the identification of cases within the territory for referral and discussion with the multiprofessional team. Results: The training had a greater impact on the practices of professionals who participated in the 12-hour course and a lesser impact on those who attended the 4-hour course. For those who did not participate in the training, gaps were observed in their understanding and referral processes regarding cases of violence against women for follow-up within the unit. The project met its proposed objectives, resulting in two products: a thematic collection and a symbolic tool called the “Atenciometer.” **Final Considerations: Investment in training health agents to identify cases of violence against women, handle situations, and make appropriate referrals is essential. Discussing this topic in primary care based on the best scientific evidence is crucial to enhance the capacity of services and their workers to protect victims from their aggressors.