Utilização da rede de atenção psicossocial de Ribeirão Preto pela população em situação de rua
Abstract
Introduction: The homeless population has many of its rights violated, including the guarantee of access to health care services. In Ribeirão Preto, 3,405 people live on the streets, many of whom have mental health issues. The difficulty in accessing health services increases the vulnerability of this population, which already suffers from exclusion and precarious living conditions. Objective: To demographically characterize the homeless population served by the Specialized Reference Center for the Homeless Population (Centro POP) in Ribeirão Preto - SP and to describe their flow within the public health care network. Material and Methods: This descriptive study used demographic data obtained through interviews with the homeless population and information on the use of the network from electronic health records. Results: Most of the interviewed homeless individuals were young black men with low education, heterosexual, and unemployed. Regarding the use of the health care network, most had used some health service, did not have a mental health diagnosis, and had not been hospitalized. Most had used psychoactive substances. Conclusion: Considering the vulnerability and mental health issues faced by this population, it is important to strengthen the integration between social assistance services and health care services.
Authors concede the right of its first publication to the Interdisciplinary Journal of Health Sciences and Education, according to the editorial policy of the journal. Reproductions of texts in other publications may be formally requested to the editorial committee via email.