This study aimed to understand how users from Family Health Program (FHP) make their decision about health-illness. It was used the Stages of Change Model from Prochaska and DiClemente to identify the level of change of FHP users. It was a qualitative research developed with users and FHP health professionals from Crato, Ceará State, Brazil. The data were collected by semi-structured interviews, focal group and observation from May to September in 2005. They were organized by means of content analysis and analyzed in the light of theoretical reference. The changes of the FHP users are depicted as following: in the pre-contemplation stage the emphasis is on disease and care itself. In the contemplation stage, the care is on the family. It is centred in the cure and treatment of diseases. In the determination stage, we have some improvement concerning prevention in the family, with registers of looking around. In the action stage, behaviour from the user to reach autonomy and emancipation is registered. These results seem to indicate ascendency in FHP users' learning and participation towards health promotion.
Health promotion; Health education; Community participation; Family Health Program; Public health nursing
