[Family health nurse in the Amazon: concepts and management of themes regarding alcohol use]. / Enfermeiro de Saúde da Família na Amazônia: conceitos e manejo na temática do uso de álcool.

The objective of this study is to identify the concept that nurses in the Amazon have on alcohol abuse and the forms used for management. Focal group and individual interviews were performed with all nurses of twelve family health teams from a city in the Amazon. It was observed there was a lack of university degrees, continuing education and of support/reference - counter - reference towards the dimension of alcohol use in the studied population. There is need to reform nursing courses and perform continuing education for family health team members, and provide them with the necessary support regarding this important theme and its consequences, for individuals and their families, as well as for the society as a whole.

[Characterization of the family health strategy in Amazonas state, Brazil: an analysis of implementation and impact]. / Caracterização da estratégia saúde da família no estado do Amazonas, Brasil: análise da implantação e impacto.

This article focuses on the implementation of the Family Health Program (FHP) in municipalities (counties) in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, analyzing potential population coverage, evidence of change in the health care model, and impact (2004 and 2008). Implementation was classified as fair versus unsatisfactory. The findings showed an increase in the number of municipalities with the FHP implemented, as well as in the program's coverage (which nevertheless was less than 50% of the population). Concerning change in the health care model, no municipalities were observed with a high rate of change. As for impact, there was a decrease in low impact and an increase in high impact. The final classification did not show a statistically significant change from one year to the next, and unsatisfactory implementation prevailed in the municipalities of the State of Amazonas. Evaluation of the FHP is not simple, since there are various factors involved in the issue. Further studies could reveal the factors that explain the program's suboptimal implementation in the State of Amazonas.

[Health education: a transforming experience]. / Educação em saúde: uma experiência transformadora.

This article describes the positive and transforming experience of the 'health education' practice, highlighting the results produced on both educators and the people who participated in the education process. The work took place in 2003 in the city of Manacapuru-Amazonas, and it consisted of educational activities designed for teenagers from a public school of the city The educative activities were based on a methodology for nursing assistance to collective health, using its phases. The results showed, in fact, that health education is essential to the reflection and change of behavior in people's lives. Therefore, health education must be systematically planned and adopted as an important role of the nursing professional.