Phytotherapy in pediatrics: the production of knowledge and practices in Primary Care.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the use of phytotherapy as a therapy adopted in the context of Primary Care to Childhood. METHOD: Observational and analytical field research, with quantitative-qualitative approach. A semi-structured survey was used on socio-demographic and ethnopharmacological variables, audio interview and daily observation. RESULTS: The production of knowledge about phytotherapy constitutes a family heritage, but incorporated data resulting from the daily experiences shared by the community. The main factors were: easy access to this resource, high costs of conventional treatment, difficulty in accessing medical services and belief in the power of plants. The attributed meanings were: prevention and treatment of injuries, rescue of memory and of experiences, factor integrative with nature and aggregative among members of the community. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Rescuing this tradition brings a new meaning to health care.

Phytotherapy in pediatrics: the production of knowledge and practices in Primary Care / Fitoterapia en pediatría: la producción de saberes y prácticas en la Atención Básica / Fitoterapia em pediatria: a produção de saberes e práticas na Atenção Básica

ABSTRACT Objective: To demonstrate the use of phytotherapy as a therapy adopted in the context of Primary Care to Childhood. Method: Observational and analytical field research, with quantitative-qualitative approach. A semi-structured survey was used on socio-demographic and ethnopharmacological variables, audio interview and daily observation. Results: The production of knowledge about phytotherapy constitutes a family heritage, but incorporated data resulting from the daily experiences shared by the community. The main factors were: easy access to this resource, high costs of conventional treatment, difficulty in accessing medical services and belief in the power of plants. The attributed meanings were: prevention and treatment of injuries, rescue of memory and of experiences, factor integrative with nature and aggregative among members of the community. Final considerations: Rescuing this tradition brings a new meaning to health care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evidenciar el uso de la fitoterapia como terapia adoptada en el contexto de la Atención Básica a la Infancia. Método: Investigación analítica y de campo observacional, con abordaje cuantitativo-cualitativo. Se utilizó un cuestionario semiestructurado relativo a las variables socio-demográficas y etnofarmacológicas, entrevista grabada en audio y observación en el cotidiano. Resultados: La producción de conocimiento sobre la fitoterapia se constituye en una herencia familiar, pero ha incorporado los datos resultantes de las experiencias cotidianas compartidas por la comunidad. Los factores mantenedores de estas prácticas fueron: fácil acceso a ese recurso, altos costos del tratamiento convencional, dificultad de acceso a los servicios médicos creencia en el poder de las plantas. Los sentidos atribuidos fueron: prevención y tratamiento de agravios, rescate de la memoria y de vivencias, factor integrativo con la naturaleza y agregativo entre los miembros de la comunidad. Consideraciones finales: Rescatar esta tradición trae un nuevo sentido a los cuidados de salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: Evidenciar o uso da fitoterapia como terapêutica adotada no contexto da Atenção Básica à Infância. Método: Pesquisa de campo observacional e analítica, com abordagem quantitativo-qualitativa. Utilizou-se questionário semiestruturado relativo às variáveis socio-demográficas e etnofarmacológicas, entrevista gravada em áudio e observação no cotidiano. Resultados: A produção de conhecimento sobre a fitoterapia constitui-se numa herança familiar, mas incorporou dados resultantes das experiências cotidianas compartilhadas pela comunidade. Os fatores mantenedores dessas práticas foram: fácil acesso a esse recurso, altos custos do tratamento convencional, dificuldade de acesso a serviços médicos e crença no poder das plantas. Os sentidos atribuídos foram: prevenção e tratamento de agravos, resgate da memória e de vivências, fator integrativo com a natureza e agregativo entre membros da comunidade. Considerações finais: Resgatar essa tradição traz um novo sentido aos cuidados de saúde.