Saúde LGBTQIA+ potiguar: diálogos no território na construção coletiva da pesquisa-ação

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the existence of public policies, there are still numerous challenges when it comes to the health of the LGBTI+ population. Healthcare professionals often remain unaware of social changes and the specific care needs of this population. These issues may also reflect a health education system that fails to adequately prepare professionals, both in terms of attitudinal dimensions - developing skills in behavior, attitudes, and values - and in clinical competence. It is essential to develop actions and activities aimed at implementing the objectives outlined in legal frameworks. Objective: To understand the care, access, and health assistance available to the LGBTI+ population in Rio Grande do Norte and to develop strategies to strengthen public health policies for this population in the primary healthcare network in Natal. Methodology: This research adopts a qualitative approach and will utilize various methodological designs, depending on the research question, following the principles of action research. The study population comprises LGBTI+ individuals, representatives of social movements, managers, healthcare professionals, and other social actors working on LGBTI+ health issues. Results: The research identified the main strengths and challenges concerning the health of the LGBTI+ population in Rio Grande do Norte, focusing specifically on two primary healthcare services in Natal. Key issues included the lack of preparedness among professionals to care for LGBTI+ individuals, problems in healthcare assistance, and insufficient organization of the care network. These findings informed the organization of workshops at Basic Health Units. Final Considerations: The study’s main outcome was the strengthening of the care network, particularly in primary healthcare, for delivering qualified care to LGBTI+ individuals. This contributed to reducing health inequities and expanding rights by improving access to Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS). The choice of action research methodology, its emancipatory nature, and the participatory and collective format of planning and executing research actions allowed for greater autonomy among social actors. This, in turn, contributed to political education and the empowerment of the fight for rights, creating a strong foundation for the sustainability of actions.