Um olhar estratégico para o Projeto “Cenários Ambientais 2020” proposto pela Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo

In recent years the development based on a pattern of production and consumption in large-scale, established relations with degrading the environment, jeopardizing the availability of natural resources. From then on, it became necessary to integrate the environmental dimension to the other planning issues, appearing then the Environmental Planning. The objective of the Environmental Planning generally defined by society, aims help in making decisions; subsidized by a diagnosis at the same time identify and define objectives more environmentally suitable to assist in developing public policy. Thus, the development of prospective scenarios together by experts and stakeholders assists in public policy development and decision-making. In 2007, seeking to structure environmental management in the State, the Department of the Environment of São Paulo has created 21 Strategic Environmental Projects, including the project Cenários Ambientais 2020 with the goal of developing public policy proposals for medium and long term from prospective environmental scenarios. This paper reviews the methodologies used in constructing the scenarios in this project; sought to evaluate the construction process according to what is proposed by Alcamo and Henrichs (2008); and investigated the context that encouraged the development of the project

O trabalho docente na rede pública do estado de São Paulo: apontamentos iniciais para a discussão da jornada de trabalho

The changes in the world of work that, in turn, directly affect the teaching work, have expanded the processes of precariousness and intensification, contributing for deteriorating conditions which teachers use to labor. Considering that the time designated for teaching activities is an important part of work conditions, we look for, in this article, to analyze the work shift of teachers in São Paulo state educational public system. Regarding that teachers are a very heterogeneous group, we have chosen to discuss the workday those professionals who dedicate themselves in the last years of elementary and high school. Through a literature review and a research about the legislation related to the topic, in Brazil and São Paulo state, we have highlighted that the teachers’ work shifts should include not only the time for classroom activities, but also for other extra activities. Moreover, we emphasize that the state of São Paulo government has promoted, since 2012, a reformulation of the teachers’ work shift that has not properly include the appropriate length of time for extra educational activities, contrasting the parameters founded in the national legislation. Besides the legal non-compliance, that fact has accentuated the process of intensification of teaching work, contributing for the embrittlement of the collective activities.

O movimento ambientalista e as propostas de implantação de usinas de álcool no pantanal de Mato Grosso do Sul (1979-2009): um espaço sócio-ocupacional para o Serviço Social de MS

Pós-graduação em Serviço Social - FCHS

Medicinal plants in pregnancy and lactation: perception of the health risk and practical educational group in Araraquara, São Paulo State, Brazil

The use of medicinal plants among pregnant women and lactating is a common practice in diverse countries. However, many medicinal plants are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactating, due to various adverse effects, such as teratogenic, embryotoxic and abortive effects, exposing these women, their fetus and babies to health unknown risks. Thus, the purpose of this commentary, was to analyze the perception about the use of medicinal plants by pregnant women and lactating registered in the "baby on board" NGO, Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil, between 2010 at 2013. The group was constituted by 48 women, between the first and last trimester of pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. Information was collected during group meetings by oral interview, using a questionnaire, as script. The nature of the study was a qualitative analysis. The results were based on reports about the use of medicinal plants by pregnant women during group meetings: use, indication of use, knowledge about risks. All participants received written and oral information about the study and they gave a written informed consent. The use of medicinal plants is a reality among pregnant and lactating women of the "baby on board" NGO. They reported that they feel that "natural" products are not harmful for their health. The primary information sources for the majority of women about medicinal plants during pregnancy are family, neighbors and herbalists. The plants most cited (in popular name in Brazil) were: senna, chamomile, boldo, lemon balm, lemon grass. They were used mainly for: nausea, heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, intestinal and abdominal pain, anxiety, intestinal constipation and low milk production. The pregnant and lactating women lacked knowledge about the health risks of the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines in pregnancy and lactation. They also reported difficulties in clarifying some questions about the use of medicinal plants with their doctors. The results of the present study showed that educative actions about the rational use of medicinal plants in pregnancy and breastfeeding could be part of the operating protocols to promote the maternal and child health programs in Araraquara. Thus, our results also suggest the importance of creating institutionalized places, to the implementation of continued education programs about rational use of medicinal plants in pregnancy and lactation. These targeted programs are not only for health professionals, but also for community members, pregnant women and breastfeeding. Our results pointed out the importance of guidance of doctors and healthcare professionals on the scientific studies about medicinal plants and herbal medicines and the risk/benefit of using herbs during pregnancy. Finally, it is noted the importance of the health professionals to inform women of childbearing on risks to their health, as well as on possibilities of utilization of herbs during fertile period, giving special attention to the potential risk of self-medication.