INTERSECTORIALITY: A STRATEGY FOR THE CARE OF VULNERABLE MOTHERS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the healthcare provided to mothers in vulnerable situations who were supported by an intersectoral program coordinated through Primary Health Care, examining the individual, social, and programmatic dimensions of vulnerability. A qualitative single-case study involving 12 mothers was conducted in Tauá, Ceará. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was performed using MAXQDA software. In the individual dimension, care was associated with service access, the absence of disease, mental health, self-care, and socio-emotional support. The social dimension was characterized by extreme poverty, food insecurity, inadequate housing, maternal overburden, domestic violence, fragile support networks, and difficulties entering the workforce. In the programmatic dimension, welcoming practices, attentive listening, social assistance groups, benefits, and vocational training courses fostered social bonds, a sense of belonging, self-esteem, and supplementary income. However, resource scarcity, insufficient support for childcare, and benefit instability limited economic autonomy. The study concludes that Primary Health Care—through the longitudinal coordination of care and intersectoral collaboration—generated protective resources and strengthened autonomy, according to the participants' experiences. Nevertheless, challenges persist regarding the continuity of actions, the coordination of public policies, and the addressing of structural inequalities.