Representações sociais de membros de equipes de saúde da família sobre o uso problemático de álcool por idosos

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the social representations of members of the Family Health Teams over the abuse of alcohol by the elderly. We tried to analyze, understand and interpret the ideas, perceptions and concepts reported by participants that can be mobilized towards this population. The study was to survey the field of health units from the city of Araras (São Paulo, Brazil). In constructing this work, we rely on the participation, as respondents, fifteen members of the Family Health Teams from different backgrounds (nurses, auxiliaries and nursing technicians, community health workers, dentist and doctor). This is a qualitative study, in which methodological approach we used semi-structured interviews, whose contents were analyzed according to pronouncements emerging from the oral testimony, we, therefore, the technique of discourse analysis, included within the scope of the analysis method content. The results were interpreted according to the theory of social representations, grouped in three categories: social representations of aging, alcohol use in general and, finally, the abuse of alcohol by the elderly. The elderly, in general, were portrayed as fragile, with most disease processes, which would be increased with the use of alcohol. This emphasis seems strongly rooted in the biomedical model. The elderly who constitute abuse of alcohol would be a hidden population for the group of respondents, who seem to be considered from the standpoint instrumented semiological and therapeutic for his actions on these patients. These actions end up being, to indicate that statements, based mainly on knowledge of common sense. We identified a positive attitudinal predisposition to attend to the elderly, an element that can also help guide the strategies for continuing professional education relating to elderly care that makes the abuse of alcohol.