Punishment, penalty or providence? Morbidity due to external causes in basic healthcare, Porto Alegre, Brazil

• Main Authors: Gerci Salete Rodrigues, Marta Julia Marques Lopes, Aline Corrêa de Souza, Luiza Maria Ribeiro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associação Brasileira de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva
• Series: Ciência & Saúde Coletiva
• Subjects: Causas externas; Morbidade; Vulnerabilidade; Atenção básica de saúde
• Online Access: http://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-81232008000100016&lng=en&tlng=en

This research project is based on the work of the External Causes Observer Group for Municipal Health Services under the Partenon and Lomba do Pinheiro District Administration in Porto Alegre, Brazil. It reflects on the actions and roles of Health Services in response to injuries due to External Causes, from the standpoint of strategies promoting health and quality of life. The high rate for these events prompted dissatisfaction among local healthcare parishioners, keenly aware that they constitute a serious Public Health problem. Coping strategies were initially intended to keep records of injuries due to external causes in this region, involving the entire team. Subsequently, the assistance rendered to victim of accidents and violence was examined. The findings of this group were presented at special events and community meetings, in addition to activities specifically addressing healthcare workers. Awareness-heightening and better qualifications are expected to underpin commitments to networking and the implementation of initiatives providing protection, particularly for more vulnerable segments.