Vulnerability and health promotion of Haitian immigrants: reflections based on Paulo Freire’s dialogic praxis

Abstract

Objective: To understand the perceptions of Haitian immigrants about the possibilities to promote health, in the face of the vulnerabilities they experience. Method: This is a qualitative, participatory action study, based on Paulo Freire's Research Itinerary, which has three phases: thematic investigation; encoding and decoding; critical unveiling. Ten Haitian immigrants, students of a public university in Brazil, participated in the Culture Circle. Results: In the face of vulnerabilities, Haitian immigrants expressed the need to participate in university social groups, to have moments of integration with Brazilians, to know their rights, to master the Portuguese language, to adapt socially and culturally and to the food, to engage in the promotion of mental health and quality of life through physical activities and leisure. Conclusion: The discussions led to a process of action-reflection-action, in which immigrants reframed their reality, looking for strategies to promote health and empowering themselves in the search for a healthier life.