Home visits as a component of the Family Health Program: user's perceptions in Fortaleza, Ceara State, Brazil

Home visits have become increasingly widespread in Brazil since the emergence of the Family Health Program. The present study deals with users' perceptions of these visits, focusing on comprehensiveness and humanization of care. The study was exploratory and qualitative. Twenty-one interviews were performed with users from the six administrative health districts of Fortaleza, capital of Ceara State, Brazil. Analysis of the interviews revealed the existence of three core themes: (1) health professional-user relationships, i.e. users' perceptions of completeness and humanization of care during visits; (2) characterization of visits, with emphasis on operational aspects; and (3) user-health facility interaction, focusing on integration with other service. This theme was divided into three items: health facility management, equity, and integration of care. In conclusion, the study suggests that home visiting practices can be improved by enhancing the aspects of intersubjectivity, dialogue, and negotiation between health professionals, users, and the community.