title: [Disclosing the work processes of the community health agents on the Family Health Strategy in Vitória (ES, Brazil)].
abstract: The community health agent (CHA) has a singular role as a "link" between the community and the health service. The main purpose of this descriptive/qualitative study is to evaluate the production of the CHA work processes in the Family Health Strategy in the county of Vitória (ES, Brazil). The research was developed in the health region of Maruípe, a district in the county of Vitória. The researchers invited 14 CHAs to use a half structured interview based on a guide script containing 24 questions. The process of work in health was considered as "a prevention and promotion of health", and the domiciliary visits were considered as being an everyday basic activity. The CHAs withhold several interpretations concerning to the work process and associated to the concept of unit the team has. It is also possible to notice a kind of idealism of the competences concerning to the CHA work, thus, causing a feeling of impotence and limitation when facing the challenges imposed by it. It is possible to conclude that the CHA needs tools and abilities that overcome their technical knowledge in order to act in a social scope and also to deal with the health needs of each user.
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Saúde da Família Frade Praias, Prefeitura de Angra dos Reis, Angra dos Reis, RJ, 23900-000. heleticiagalavote@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Heletícia Scabelo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Galavote
authors.forename: Thiago Nascimento
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: do Prado
authors.forename: Ethel Leonor Noia
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Cássia Duarte Lima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003150:Community Health Workers; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006078:Government Programs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult