É tempo de se cuidar mais": pesquisa-ação para promover a saúde da mulher no climatério

Abstract

PA, cujo processo foi constituído das etapas de diagnóstico situacional da realidade, planejamento e execução das ações executivas e avaliação. Todos estes encontros foram gravados em áudio e transcritos integralmente, e este conjunto de dados foi submetido à análise temática. Resultados: As assertivas "O espelho fala a verdade": as mudanças corporais interferindo na autoestima das mulheres no climatério; "A vida gira como um carrossel": altos e baixos nas condições emocionais e no convívio com os membros da família; "O tempo agora é outro": mudanças na sexualidade e relacionamento amoroso/conjugal no climatério; e "É tempo de se ABSTRACT Introduction: The Climacteric period marks the transition between the reproductive and non-reproductive phase of women, and it is influenced by biological and psychosocial aspects in a range of different cultural contexts. The literature reveals a lack of information and healthcare guidance supported by health services, although the experience of physical and emotional suffering has been well documented in the climacteric, as a result of stressful women's life changes. Objectives: The aims of this study were to explore women's experiences regarding the climacteric period; to identify women's questions and needs concerning the climacteric; to raise women's difficulties and approaches to manage the problems regarding the climacteric; and to elaborate an educational material dedicated to women's health promotion, focused on the climacteric period. Method: Action-research (AR) was the method used, enhanced through the pedagogical reference of Paulo Freire. The study population comprised a group of nine women between 45 and 65 years old users of a primary healthcare facility of São Paulo city. Focal groups and educational workshops were both organized and applied to the nine AR's group meetings, which were developed through the phases of reality's situational diagnostic, action planning and execution, and evaluation. All these meetings were recorded, the information was integrally transcribed verbatim, and the data were submitted to thematic analysis. Results:Four major thematic findings highlight the experience lived by women during the climacteric: 'The mirror tells the truth: bodily changes' perception affecting the women's self-esteem in the climacteric; 'Life twists and turns like a carousel': ups and downs regarding emotional conditions and family relationship'; 'Now, the time is changed': changes regarding sexuality and affective/marital relationship in the climacteric; and 'It's time to pay close attention to self-care': searching for self-care in the climacteric'. Discussion: The climacteric period brings changes regarding body and mind, which affect familiar, marital, and social relationships, as well as women's experience of sexuality and perception of health and self-care. In the action-research process, women could reflect on these issues, which helped them to identify the need of adjustments concerning the copying of new situations, and the ways of reorganizing their d...