Raising awareness of inflammatory bowel diseases in an indigenous community

Abstract

Objective: To report a health education activity, carried out in an indigenous community in western Bahia, aiming to raise awareness about Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Experience report: Among the competencies of Primary Health Care, health education is included, essential for providing the individual with knowledge and, consequently, enabling them to be autonomous. In this sense, as a result of several sociocultural and historical factors, a process of invisibility of indigenous health, their needs and problems is perceived, directly interfering in their dignity and well-being. Therefore, it is crucial to develop health activities, within the complexity of Primary Care, planned and executed for indigenous peoples. The activity reported consisted of a conversation, held in an indigenous community, to talk about the symptoms and diagnosis of IBD, as well as to educate and encourage healthy lifestyle habits, in addition to listening to doubts, demands and information that the participants presented about IBD and about healthy habits. Final considerations: The reported activity, by contributing to the dissemination of pertinent information about IBD in the indigenous community, has the potential to impact health determinants and to make these individuals more autonomous and aware.