This qualitative study, with a socio-historical perspective, aimed to examine how the process of decentralization of STD/AIDS actions took place in Florianópolis, SC, Brazil, and its effects on the level of care and administration. The data collection was based on documentary and oral sources. A total of 11 health professionals were interviewed, who performed care and/or management activities linked to STD/AIDS, during the study period (2006-2010). The results were analyzed using content analysis, resulting in two categories: The administrative decentralization of the Municipal STD/AIDS Program; The decentralization of STD/AIDS care. The restructuring of the STD/AIDS Program was part of the reorganization process of the municipal health system and the progressive incorporation of the concept of Health Surveillance. Decentralization of the actions was perceived as a condition necessary for the integration of STD/AIDS policies into the macropolitics of the SUS, however, continuous monitoring of the directions of the epidemic from the new conformation of this care policy is required.
Decentralization; Unified Health System; Health policy