Digital technology as a tool for health promotion in an indigenous community in the Vale de São Francisco

Abstract:

Introduction:

Traditional communities are groups of socially organized individuals with common economic, socio-environmental, and cultural behaviors. Brazil’s indigenous communities are a prime example of these groups, suffering the impact of urbanization, the growth of chronic diseases, epidemics, and increased food insecurity.

Experience report:

To describe the health team’s experiences in the use of a data management tool for care in an indigenous community in northeastern Brazil.

Methodology:

This is an experience report on the use of a digital tool to assist actions in a traditional community. The health team was divided into community health agents and medical students.

Discussion:

The description of the experiences and analysis of the narratives resulted in identifying 258 citations, classified into 12 categories related to the study scope. Of these, issues related to benefits of the tool were the most commonly mentioned (43.41%), where the subgroups addressed different reflections. The second most cited category referred to the tool’s limitations (15.11%), with the need for an internet connection being the critical point. This research, therefore, shows the tool’s advantages in health care but also explains weaknesses inherent to its use, raising important issues of this experience and stimulating similar practices.

Conclusion:

This experience report, as a scientific method, addresses essential experienced issues related to the practical applicability of a digital tool in an indigenous community. Although it is undeniable that there are obvious points of weakness, these did not compromise the positive result of the experience, and care was improved.

Keywords:
Indigenous Communities; Digital Technology; Indigenous Health