Acesso e qualidade da alimentação: percepção da população em situação de rua

Abstract

Objective: To understand the perception of access to food and food quality for the street population. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study was performed in a Reference Center for the Homeless Population in the south-central region of Belo Horizonte (MG). A semi-structured script was used to conduct interviews with 18 participants. Data collection occurred between December 2020 and January 2021. The thematic analysis of the material, as proposed by Bardin, made it possible to elaborate three empirical categories. Results: The public interviewed was male, with a mean age of 43 years, and a mean time on the streets of 44.6 months. Access to food came from donations, meals at government institutions, and acquisition when income was available. Difficulties were reported regarding the quantity and quality of food, acquisition of meals on weekends, feelings of fear and anguish in the face of hunger, lack of food, and social stigma, which were aggravated by COVID-19. Conclusion: As in this scenario of social inequalities the access to food is not guaranteed, implementing public policies of social protection is necessary to guarantee basic rights.