Acupuncture and the Government Health System: An Analysis on its Knowledge and use in Tangará da Serra MT Brazil

  • Cristina Fernandes Pereira Universidade de Franca
Keywords: Acupuncture, Public Health, Brazilian Policy of Integration and Complementary Practices.

Abstract

Knowledge and use of acupuncture by clients of the Government Health System in the municipality of Tangará da Serra MT Brazil are analyzed. Acceptance of treatment and its possible availability through the Government Health System based on the Brazilian Policy of Integration and Complementary Practices are verified. The method employed comprised a survey comprising interviews applied to 30 clients of the Government Health System in the Reference Physiotherapy Centre and in the Medical Specialties Centre. Results show that even though the Ministry of Health has authorized acupuncture treatment, lack of information and administration impairs its establishment and propagation among the population who uses the Government Health System. Analysis shows that acupuncture is highly acceptable and may be used as a complementary factor in health prevention and treatment. The implementation of the Brazilian Policy of Integration and Complementary Practices which warrants society’s access to such health practices would open new perspectives based on different health paradigms, on equilibrium and on harmonious interaction of the human being with nature and the social milieu.

Author Biography

Cristina Fernandes Pereira, Universidade de Franca
Mestranda em Promoção de Saúde pela Universidade de Franca – UNIFRAN; Especialista em Acupuntura pela UNISAÚDE-FEDUC; Graduada em Fisioterapia pelo Centro Universitário do Triângulo - UNITRI. E-mail: cris.unifran@yahoo.com.br
Published
2010-07-06
Section
Artigos Originais