Health education experiences with psychoactive substance users

Abstract

Introduction: Popular health education consists of a political-pedagogical praxis that aims at the construction of unconventional educational processes through the valorization of the experiences and knowledge of the community. 

Objectives: To describe the experience of conducting a health education group, targeting consumers with problematic drug use. 

Methods: Descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, of the experience report type, carried out in a Psychosocial Care Center - Alcohol and Drugs, located in regional II of the city of Fortaleza, in the state of Ceará-Brazil. The period of performance of the activities took place during the month of March 2019. Eight people participated in the study, selected for convenience. The group education / investigation procedures included four (4) moments: the first presentation, the second moment of problematization on the chosen theme. The third moment, called brainstorming, promotes new reflections, both through mediators and participants. The fourth step is to evaluate the proposed activity and choose the next topic. 

Results: The topics covered included: concept of health, using representations through paintings, a set of myths about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and the celebration of International Women’s Day, through the exhibition of a documentary. Active methodologies provide a greater degree of participation and autonomy, favoring learning. 

Conclusions: Health education, by adopting active and effective methodologies, promotes cognitive, psychosocial and interpersonal development and the modification of attitudes and behaviors, which are appropriate to promote and/or maintain health.