Concepções, ensino e práticas de saúde no cotidiano da escola: a educação para a saúde em escolas públicas de Uberlândia (MG)

Abstract

The present paper analyzes conceptions, teaching and practices related to Health as they are developed in two elementary schools, aiming to understand the relation between Health and Education in this context. As a case study, the paper made use of the indexes obtained through a questionnaire, interviews, observation and document analysis as its methodological resources. Keeping the premisse in mind in which it s stated that Health is a transversal theme in education, thus encompassing all content included in the school curriculum, focusing on interdisciplinarity, this study aims to analyze Health Education in schools, described in the model proposed here. From the analysis made, it became clear that in the academic community, it s still common for people to understand Health as Biology, and focused in behavioral changes of each individual, with great interest in caring for the body and mind. The analisys showed, also, that the themes related to Health are still part of the Sciences curriculum or are developed through punctual actions, called projects. The majority of these projects are elaborated by institutions or organizations related to the school thus developed without the effective participation of the school community. In relation to the Health practices and school environment, we were able to verify many inappropriate attitudes and environmental questions which can make it difficult to obtain an efficient and effective Health Education at school. Therefore, with the present study, we believe that it s necessary to integrate the Health and Education segments, thus allowing a new proposal for school health to be presented. In order to do so, qualification of professionals from the educational sector must be revised, so as to include themes related to health problems and students day to day life. The need for a continuous educational policy for all professionals involved in issues of health in the school was another aspect of the subject made evident in the research.