Harm reduction in Florianópolis-SC: a strategic policy for prevention and health car

Abstract

This descriptive qualitative study was performed with a socio-historical perspective, and analyzes how the Harm Reduction policy was developed as a strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention and care among injectable drug users in the municipality of Florianópolis-Santa Catarina state. Interviews were performed using the Thematic Oral History technique. The subjects were ten health care professionals working with health care and/or management activities related to STD/AIDS during the period of the study (1993-2010). Content analysis was used, resulting in two categories: The implementation of the Harm Reduction Project in Florianópolis; and Recognizing Harm Reduction as a strategic policy for the prevention of HIV and other situations of vulnerability. The main results, in the referred municipality, were aspects of this inclusive and innovative policy in health care, by practicing central principles of the Unified Health System (SUS) among drug users, thus generating new possibilities for the prevention and care among this population.

Descriptors: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Drug Users; Harm Reduction.