A rede de cuidados à saúde para a população transexual em Juiz de Fora

Abstract

The construction of transsexualism throughout the time has been under influence of a single sex to explain the differences between men and women and later turned to the existence of two sexes and two genders. Those two models and the development of science, alongside the social changes, have had repercussions in the comprehension of transsexualism. SUS has entailed the principles of universality, completeness and transsexuality to orientate the actions and the health services, which must be independent of any kind of prejudice and discrimination. This paper aimed to understand how the access to healthcare is conerning transsexual people in Juiz de Fora. The approach chosen was qualitative methodological, combined with a written study. The technique used for data capture was semi-structured interview. Eight transsexual people participated in the survey. The information were dissected through dialectical hermeneutics. Interviews were transcribed and the information were organized in senses centres that made it possible to compound the following evaluation categories: path and transsexuality; the official healthcare system and the unofficial healthcare system. Concerning path and transsexuality, the family bond was considered important. The identification with a universe different from the universe related to the one that was ascribed to them when they were born, the conflict feeling, the influence of conservatism in gender transition and, moreover, the importance given to the body. Related to the formal healthcare service, the research could identify the lack of respect with the social name, the prejudice and lack of qualification, and barriers to have access to health services. About the informal healthcare system, it was perceived the use of hormones on one`s own, and the search for information about it over the internet. It was implied that in Juiz de Fora, the health policy does not encompass the transsexual population, which is submitted to neglect, to institutional prejudice, without having their necessities covered, what leads them to the informal healthcare system, hence bringing serious risks to their health. The research evinced a necessity of a formal and solid healthcare system for transsexual people.