Health literacy measurement: embracing diversity in a strengths-based approach to promote health and equity, and avoid epistemic injustice

Definitions of health literacy have evolved from notions of health-related literacy to a multidimensional concept that incorporates the importance of social and cultural knowledge, practices and contexts. This evolution is evident in the development of instruments that seek to measure health literacy in different ways. Health literacy measurement is important for global health because diverse stakeholders, including the WHO, use these data to inform health practice and policy, and to understand sources of inequity. In this Practice paper, we explore the potential for negative consequences, bias and epistemic injustice to occur when health literacy instruments are used across settings without due regard for the lived experiences of people in various contexts from whom data are collected. A health literacy measurement approach that is emic-sensitive, strengths based and solution oriented is needed to minimise biased data interpretation and use and to avoid epistemic injustice

Protocolo na assistência pré-natal: ações, facilidades e dificuldades dos enfermeiros da Estratégia de Saúde da Família

Este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a percepção dos enfermeiros acerca do uso do protocolo de suas atribuições na assistência pré-natal, identificando as ações de saúde desenvolvidas por esses profissionais, assim como os pontos facilitadores e dificultadores no uso do referido protocolo. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, desenvolvido junto aos enfermeiros da Estratégia de Saúde da Família do município de Divinópolis, Minas Gerais. Para o levantamento dos dados, foram realizadas entrevistas com cinco enfermeiros. Os dados foram analisados pelo conteúdo, na modalidade temática. Os resultados demonstraram a necessidade de investimentos na formação de pessoal qualificado para o atendimento à mulher no ciclo gravídico-puerperal, assim como a criação e a incorporação de protocolos que promovam uma melhor interação do trabalho médico e de enfermagem

Emancipatory practices of nurses in primary health care: the home visit as an instrument of health needs assessment

Objective Identify nurses’ emancipatory practices in primary care, to contribute to the improvement of health care. Method A case study type social research of qualitative nature, in which nurses of a primary health care service unit in São Paulo were interviewed. Results The home visit was identified as a nursing practice possible to be expanded in order to identify social determinants of health, triggering emancipatory practices in the service. This expansion occurred because the design of health care labour intended by the service team changed its focus from the traditional object of health services, the disease. Conclusion First, it is advocated that social policies lead projects with the purpose of improving health needs. On the other hand, the daily labour needs to provide opportunities for reflection and discussion of healthcare projects, leading workers to propose labour-processes targeted to both the social determinants of health and people’s illness