Saúde, ambiente e zoonoses: visão dos profissionais de uma regional de saúde em Belo Horizonte, 2010

The thematic of health and environment has been widely discussed by both disciplines in the health and environmental sciences. In the scenario of this discussion it is perceived the need for a balanced environment for the achievement of desirable health conditions. Thus, this research was conducted in an attempt to understand the interface between health and environment and its relation with the emergence of zoonoses, in the view of professionals from the Family Health Strategy (FHS). Zoonotic diseases are configured as closely related to environmental changes. Within an expanded vision of health it is necessary that professionals in this field of knowledge have a greater involvement in the discussion on the theme of health and environment. The objective of this paper is to identify and understand the perceptions, ideas and images of some public health professionals about the connection between health, environment and zoonoses. This survey was conducted from the perspective of social sciences being developed in the context of a qualitative approach. The analysis of information was obtained from professional community health agents, nurses and physicians. For the definition of number of participants the criterion of saturation was used. As technical analysis of the information has been used content analysis, developed from the perspective of social representation. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews, being interviewed 29 professionals. From the analysis of information three categories of analysis were seized, which are, hygienist speech in relation to health and environment, anthropocentric view regarding the environment and fragility within the framework of public health. Despite the significant insight regarding the interaction between environment and health, it was observed that this perception is limited and reductionist. Regarding the concept of zoonoses it was noticed a weakness in its understanding and its association with the Zoonosis Service of the Department of Health of Belo Horizonte. Despite all the complexity of the organization of the ESF in health care, the discussion on health and environment, as a practical knowledge necessary to expanded health, doesnt seems to be present in a comprehensive and integrated way with the current discussion. Lying still, separated from an ecosystem approach to health.