Avaliação da satisfação profissional dos agentes de saúde escolar no contexto do Programa Saúde Escolar da prefeitura municipal de Uberlândia-MG

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated how the degree of satisfaction of School Health Agents (SHA) impacts health during the performance of their duties in the context of the School Health Program (SHP) in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. The SHP is an interministerial policy between the Ministries of Health and Education, with the aim of promoting the health and comprehensive education of children and adolescents in the public school system through prevention, awareness, promotion, and primary care actions. The activities developed by SHA focus on health promotion and prevention among children and adolescents in the public education system, serving as a strategy for integration between the health and education sectors to mitigate vulnerabilities, expand access to health services, and improve the quality of life of the school community. This study was based on the assumption that worker health is multifactorial, embedded in historical, social, and organizational contexts that go beyond a onedimensional biomedical approach. OBJECTIVE: To produce a critical reflection, based on scientific assumptions, on how the degree of satisfaction of School Health Agents (SHA) impacts health during the performance of their duties in the context of the School Health Program (SHP) in Uberlândia (MG). The specific objectives are to identify the sociodemographic profile of SHA; investigate how SHA working conditions may interfere with their level of satisfaction with the activities performed; and understand the impacts of job satisfaction on the health of these professionals. METHODOLOGY: A semi-structured questionnaire was used as a research tool, made available online through Google Forms, via a Google Forms link sent to the research participants. The research adopted a quantitative analysis for responses related to socioeconomic characterization and perceptions of SHA, with the preparation of graphs and tables, in addition to the calculation of averages, percentages, and frequencies. At the same time, a thematic content analysis was performed for the discursive responses and other information collected in the questionnaires. RESULTS: The study was conducted with 31 practicing SHA, of whom 21 agreed to participate after signing an Informed Consent Form (ICF). The results reveal that, although most SHA began their activities without health problems, almost half reported work-related illness. The high number of schools served was indicated as a risk factor. Objective factors (such as infrastructure and remuneration) and subjective factors (such as recognition and satisfaction) impact both the health and satisfaction of these professionals. Despite the difficulties, the SHA reported reasonable levels of professional fulfillment. These findings reinforce the need to further investigate the relationships between working conditions, health, and satisfaction in the context of the SHP. GENERAL CONCLUSION: Factors such as high caseloads, inadequate infrastructure, lack of incentives, and professional recognition were identified as elements that affect their health and job satisfaction. Despite these adversities, a considerable number of SHA demonstrated professional fulfillment and satisfaction with the results of their activities. The findings reinforce that both objective conditions (such as structure, workload, remuneration) and subjective conditions (such as recognition, relationships with the school community) significantly influence the health and well-being of workers. Thus, it is urgent to implement policies that value these professionals, promote improvements in working conditions, and strengthen the role of SHA in the integration of health and education. Finally, this study points to the need for future research to further investigate the correlation between job satisfaction and SHA health in order to guide more effective interventions in this work context.