Efeitos de um programa educativo sobre práticas e saberes de trabalhadores da Estratégia de Saúde da Família para a promoção de atividade física / Effects of an educational program on knowledge and practices of employees of the Family Health Strategy for the promotion of physical activity
The study aimed to evaluate the e?ects of an education program over the knowledge and practices of healthworkers concerning to the promotion of physical activity. We performed a controlled trial with 83 healthworkers from two Health Units from Sao Paulo, between July and October of 2010. The Qualification Group (QG; n= 39) took part on an education program based on the pedagogy of Paulo Freire and the Permanent Education National Policy, while the Control Group (CG; n= 44) didn?t receive any intervention during this period. The education program for physical activity promotion had adherence of 56.5%, mainly lay healthworkers (95.5%; p<0,001). According to the qualitative analysis, it was very well evaluated by the participants and also recognized by them as space for dialogue and care. Positive changes were observed in the representation of the practice and counseling about PA. The education program opens new ways to educate healthworkers about physical activity and presents itself as na interesting in-service trainingtechnology, coherent with the Permanent Education National Policy and with the current organizational structure of physical activity promotion at the Unified Health System.