The work of nurses in rural primary health care in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

The concentration of health services in urban areas results in difficulties in providing health care to populations living in rural areas. Several factors are identified as hindering access to health, such as investment in public health policies for rural populations and improvement of infrastructure for Primary Health Care (PHC). Considering the importance of the role of nurses in Brazilian PHC, as well as their constant presence in rural areas, this study aims to evaluate the working conditions of these professionals in rural areas. METHODS: An exploratory and descriptive research method was adopted, following a qualitative approach. A semi-structured research guide was used in two sections, divided into sociodemographic characterization and open questions about the work performed in rural PHC in the municipality of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais. Seven professionals participated in the study, with a variation in working time in rural PHC from 1 year and 10 months to 11 years. The interviews were authorized by the Municipal Health Department, and were conducted in accordance with the norms of Resolution No. 466/2012 of the National Health Council. This study was authorized by the Research Ethics Committee of the State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES) under opinion no. 6.320.218. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The analysis of the work performed by rural PHC nurses made it possible to organize the findings into topics such as the characterization of the sociodemographic and professional profile of nurses, the relationship between public rural health policies and the working conditions offered, nurses' daily lives, revealing dichotomies related to work, associations of the life context and health situation of rural and forest populations,  in addition to the Family Health Strategy as the only means of access to health. Through this work, it was possible to understand the true meaning of work, revealing a strong influence of work on the quality of life of the professionals themselves. CONCLUSION: Through this study, it was possible to conclude that the work performed by nursing professionals is extremely relevant for the continuity of care offered by PHC. The nurses interviewed revealed that they face adversities in the exercise of their work, such as facing unfavorable conditions when driving to the workplace, such as the weather, difficult access roads, lack of adequate means of transportation, in addition to the poor infrastructure of the places of care and difficulties in communicating with health management, according to the findings of the literature. However, the meaning of the nurse's work is based on the satisfaction of the population, attributing sentimentality to the nursing practice, based on care and health promotion.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.014-010