AURICULOTHERAPY AS A PRACTICE FOR CARE OF MENOPAUSAL WOMEN: A CONVERGENT APPROACH TO PRIMARY CARE

Abstract

Objective: To understand the perceptions of women who use auriculotherapy, as well of those of healthcare professionals regarding the management of clinical manifestations of menopause in Primary Care, at a Family Health Unit (USF) in the metropolitan region of Salvador, state of Bahia, Brazil. Materials and Methods: Convergent Care Research was implemented in four phases: conception, instrumentation, scrutiny, and analysis; conducted with 12 menopausal women and healthcare professionals, between April and June 2024, through group discussions and interviews, which were analyzed according to Bardin’s method. Results: The women’s ages ranged from 46 to 60 years, with an average age of 53; most self identified as Black; and half were married and living with a partner; two-thirds had completed secondary education; receives up to one minimum wage and the predominant religion was Protestantism. Most of the healthcare professionals had worked at the USF for more than 10 years. The two physicians in the group had received training in auriculotherapy, aromatherapy, and circle dancing. Women reported some benefits of auriculotherapy, and the professionals incorporated its use/recommendation into the individualized menopause care plan. Both groups had positive perceptions regarding a reduction in the frequency and/or intensity of clinical manifestations. Measurement of the Kupperman Menopausal Index validated these perceptions following auriculotherapy use. Conclusion: Convergent care research revealed the importance of including auriculotherapy into women’s healthcare during menopause in primary health care units.