CONSTRUCTION OF HEALTH DIAGNOSES IN FAMILIAR AGRICULTURE: AN INITIATIVE WITH SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY WITHOUT BORDERS PROGRAM

Abstract

The practice of university extension aims to link higher education institution with environment in which it is inserted, with the intention of effecting their social commitment. Thus, through the “University without Borders Program”, an initiative from Parana State Government, a multidisciplinary project "Construction of health diagnoses in familiar agriculture: promoting actions for preventive health" was developed with Dentistry and Nursing departments from Ponta Grossa State University - Parana-Brazil. The specific goals of this project include knowing the socioeconomic and subjective health conditions, in rural pre-settlers in Ponta Grossa County. The field of study was the rural pre-settlement Emiliano Zapata, located 12 kilometers from that city. The development of the actions suggested for this community was designed with their local leaders. After the recognition of the coverage area, there were visits to all households (n=56) and the survey of socioeconomic and health conditions, through interviews or spontaneous reports. For social and economic data a family record containing information relating to income, housing, sanitation, health service use, occupation, use of medicinal plants and education was used. The health issues were related to the presence of diseases or situations considered as negative, when perceived by the population. Regarding to oral health, pain and/or discomfort and the standard of oral hygiene practiced were investigated. Educative and preventive actions were conducted individually in the households and also collectively. The obtained data were recorded, analyzed and expressed in absolute and relative frequencies. The analysis of field data revealed that 89.3% of households lack electricity, the average monthly income for settlers focuses on up to two minimum wages, the population has no access to piped water and most of them have low education which indicates unfavorable social conditions. As data achieved in the health field, 83.9% indicated the Basic Health Unit (UBS in Portuguese) as a reference in case of health problems, although this option is always preceded by home treatment, developed in the own community. Concerning health perception, 13.9% reported having hypertension, 0.9% diabetes, 1.8% heart disease, 10.2% varicose veins and 38.9% reported other diseases, prevailing among them depression, low back pain and headache. Regarding smoking, 17.0% of the residents introduced themselves as active smokers. In the oral health field, 80.8% of the respondents stated brushing their teeth and 19.2% reported not having a toothbrush and do not use alternative means to clean their teeth or oral cavity. We concluded that the living conditions and health of the residents of this locality are precarious, resulted from its own rural pre-settlers condition, the lack of access to health information and cultural practices recognized as inherent in the rural universe.