HEALTHY AGING PROMOTION IN BAIXO ALENTEJO, PORTUGAL

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.08222171015

• Palavras-chave: -

• Keywords: Health Promotion, Healthy aging, Healthy lifestyles, Community intervention (I18).

• Abstract:

  The objective of this study was describe the perspective of health promotion agents about healthy lifestyles promotion in order to a healthy aging, in Baixo Alentejo - Portugal. Using a qualitative design the sample of subjects was deliberated, with fourteen health promotion agents from primary health care services and municipalities selected to participate in an individual interview. Data analysis included a content and thematic analysis that revealed six themes: 1) Development of community interventions to promote healthy lifestyles 2) Effectiveness of interventions in the adoption of healthy lifestyles 3) Factors that influence the development of interventions to promote healthy lifestyles 4) Community participation 5) Environment facilitator of healthy choices 6) Nurse's role in the healthy lifestyles promotion. We conclude that the interventions are directed mainly to children and the elderly and are usually developed by the health sector in partnership with municipalities. Community participation is one of the most mentioned strategies to increase the effectiveness of health promotion interventions however there are difficulties in community empowerment and a lack of culture of participation in people and communities. Nurses have three key roles in health promotion interventions to promote healthy lifestyles: caring role; leadership role and enabling role.