SILVA, J. F.; SILVA, Jussyara Ferreira da.
Abstract:
Basic care or primary health care is constituted as a set of measures that initially direct citizens
to the Unified Health System (SUS), aiming to apply inclusive, preventive and educational
actions. In the composition of the multidisciplinary team that integrates primary care, the
Community Health Agent (ACS) is the professional responsible for the first service, working
to promote health and prevent diseases, focusing on educational activities in the homes of the
host community. Within this context, the main objective of the study was to analyze the
importance of the actions carried out by the Community Health Agent and the challenges faced
in implementing public health policies in the District of Sucuru, in the municipality of Serra
Branca-PB. Methodologically, the study can be classified as exploratory (considering the
objectives), qualitative (considering the research approach), case study (regarding the form of
the research) and survey (regarding the procedures adopted in data collection). The results
demonstrate the relevance that the ACS has for the evaluated community, providing direct care
in the homes of 161 families, in which: they carry out preventive exams (pressure and blood
glucose), assessment of the physical conditions of family members, and, if necessary, referral
for consultations at a Basic Health Unit (UBS) or hospitals. As a conclusive note, difficulties
that limit better results can be discussed, such as: lack of medicine and access to the community
(lack of infrastructure).
