Networking articulation: care for drug users from the perspective of social network analysis

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this quantitative and descriptive study was to analyze the articulation between a psychosocial care center and the intersectoral health network. Methodology: Data were collected in a municipality on the western border of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from August to December 2017. Data analysis was performed using the Package for the Social Network Analysis-UCINET software. The study was based on the methodological framework of social network analysis. Results:The results indicated the existence of 37 agents involved in care provided to drug users. It was possible to observe several sectors of justice and public safety that provided direct or indirect care to users. However, the results revealed certain estrangement between these agents and other network services in the development of joint programs and case coordination. The metrics assessed indicated a low degree of interaction between the sectors, demonstrating the difficulty of the network in functioning in an integrated manner and building joint care possibilities. Conclusions: This study discusses the need for greater intersectoral articulation at the interaction levels assessed. It is necessary to plan municipal policies that favor this interaction between agents.