Como os profissionais da atenção primária percebem e desenvolvem a Educação Popular em Saúde?

The aim of this study was to analyze the perceptions and experiences of Health Education amongst 166 professionals of Family Health teams in the city of Contagem, State of Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. Participants answered a questionnaire about Health Education practices. When reporting practices aimed at quality of life and human education, they considered issues beyond the informational purpose. All professional categories mentioned greater participation in groups for controlling hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Use of Paulo Freire’s pedagogy was reported by 4.7% of the respondents. Terms indicating political intentionality, such as “social control” and “Popular Health Education”, were not mentioned. It was noticed that continuing education processes need to be offered to Family Health professionals and that a national policy for popular Health Education must be implemented.

Health Education; Health Promotion; Family Health; Primary Health Care