Publication
Self-care and harm reduction strategies for people experiencing homelessness: experiences in primary health care
| Summary: | Abstract Introduction: Self-care is a fundamental strategy for promoting health and reducing harm. Including homeless people in care planning is an emancipatory action that strengthens their capacities and promotes comprehensive, safe and contextualized care. Objective: To understand the implementation of harm reduction and self-care strategies for homeless people and the experiences of Primary Health Care professionals. Methods: A qualitative study using Grounded Theory and Symbolic Interactionism, developed with 36 participants in two municipalities without Street Clinic teams, 30 of whom were Primary Health Care professionals, distributed across 6 Family Health Strategy teams, as well as 6 representatives of the Social Assistance Network. Results: Evidence of the challenges faced by homeless people in adopting self-care and prevention practices, according to the views of health professionals and the social assistance network. It points to the presence of prejudice, barriers to access and the reproduction of vulnerabilities in health services. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of planning harm reduction and self-care strategies with homeless people, overcoming daily shortcomings and seeking support from the social assistance network. More than offering services, it is essential to train professionals in humanized, inclusive and stigma-free practices, respecting the singularities of these people. |
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| Main Authors: | Gontijo,Lucas |
| Other Authors: | Silva,Bruna da; Dutra,Izabela; Quites,Humberto; Lanza,Fernanda; Viegas,Selma |
| Subject: | homeless people primary health care patient-centered care nursing |
| Year: | 2025 |
| Country: | Portugal |
| Document type: | article |
| Access type: | open access |
| Associated institution: | Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia |
| Language: | English |
| Origin: | SciELO Portugal |
| Summary: | Abstract Introduction: Self-care is a fundamental strategy for promoting health and reducing harm. Including homeless people in care planning is an emancipatory action that strengthens their capacities and promotes comprehensive, safe and contextualized care. Objective: To understand the implementation of harm reduction and self-care strategies for homeless people and the experiences of Primary Health Care professionals. Methods: A qualitative study using Grounded Theory and Symbolic Interactionism, developed with 36 participants in two municipalities without Street Clinic teams, 30 of whom were Primary Health Care professionals, distributed across 6 Family Health Strategy teams, as well as 6 representatives of the Social Assistance Network. Results: Evidence of the challenges faced by homeless people in adopting self-care and prevention practices, according to the views of health professionals and the social assistance network. It points to the presence of prejudice, barriers to access and the reproduction of vulnerabilities in health services. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of planning harm reduction and self-care strategies with homeless people, overcoming daily shortcomings and seeking support from the social assistance network. More than offering services, it is essential to train professionals in humanized, inclusive and stigma-free practices, respecting the singularities of these people. |
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