Autocuidado de catadores de material reciclável: estudo convergente-assistencial

Abstract

This research was aimed to promote the self-care of recyclable material collectors. It had as its general aim: To promote the self-care of recyclable material collectors through supportive and educational actions focused on strengthening self-care actions and overcoming their possible work-related deficits. We performed a qualitative and participatory research, based on the methodological benchmark of Convergent-Care Research (CCR). The research site consisted of two associations of recyclable material collectors situated in Southern Brazil, called here Esmeralda and Diamante. The participants were 19 recyclable material collectors who agreed to take part in the study and who were not excluded due to the fact of being away from work. The production of data took place by means of methodological triangulation. The participant systematic observation was conducted between August and September 2017, totaling 115 hours, through structured script and field diary. The semi-structured interviews were performed in September and October 2017 in a private room within the association and had an average duration of 28 minutes. The convergence groups meetings took place in November 2017, with two groups separately and served as a participatory tool for systematizing the supportive and educational nursing system. Reflective, educational and awareness-raising activities were used to foster the promotion of self-care. They had an average duration of one and a half hours. The observation, interview and group notes were analyzed according to the steps proposed by CCR: Apprehension, Synthesis, Theorization and Transfer. We complied with the ethical precepts established by resolutions 466/2012 and 510/2016 of the Brazilian National Health Council. The results were displayed and discussed through four thematic axes. The participants of this study show life trajectories marked by low access to education and income, family conflicts and, occasionally, violence. Driven to recycling by necessity, they deal with poor working conditions, which are characterized by a set of risks inherent to this occupation. The data showed all the basic health conditions in the relationship between the work of the collectors and their health, thus leading to the high demand for therapeutic self-care. Given these demands, the participants had deliberately undertaken actions and motivations for self-care, characterizing themselves as self-care agents. Nevertheless, they also showed a set of deficits, mainly related to self-exposure to risky behaviors and postures. The main convergence point of this study was constituted by the collective educational and supportive actions, where the major strategies were the awareness of the workers and the meeting between their skills and the nursing agency. The participants managed to broaden their concept of self-care, discuss their deficits and think strategies to overcome everyday problems. This research has mediated changes in the study setting, in workers’ postures and reorganization of the work. Nevertheless, some deficits of self-care remained. We concluded that the theoretical and methodological contributions were appropriate and successful. Nevertheless, the effective promotion of the self-care of recyclable material collectors requires continuing actions mediated by the Family Health Strategy, as well as transformations of social problems, such as poverty, violence, exclusion and social inequality.