Perfil dos estudos sobre o letramento em saúde na atenção primária no Brasil.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: map the profile of studies on health literacy in primary healthcare in Brazil. METHOD: this is a descriptive study conducted as a narrative literature review. Studies published in academic journals were selected, covering different contexts and methodologies, in order to identify trends, gaps, and contributions in the field of health literacy with the following research question: "What is the profile of studies in the scientific literature on health literacy in primary health care in Brazil?". Data searches were conducted in the following databases: Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information; Scientific Electronic Library Online; Google Scholar; Virtual Health Library; U.S. National Library of Medicine, via the CAPES Periodicals Portal. RESULTS: upon analyzing the literature, nineteen articles were selected. The literature mapping revealed that most of the studies adopt a cross-sectional approach. The year 2021 recorded the highest number of publications on these topics. It was found that the geographic coverage of the studies remains limited, with a predominance in the Southeast, South, and Northeast regions of Brazil. It was highlighted that health literacy plays a key role in the prevention and management of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The mapping reinforces the relevance of health literacy in primary care as a strategy for improving the quality of care for the population. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: health literacy in primary care should be a priority in public policies, as it is closely linked to the improvement of health indicators and the strengthening of patient autonomy and understanding. There are still significant gaps that need to be addressed, especially concerning vulnerable groups, emerging diseases, and the cultural particularities of each region.