POPULACIONAIS: IMPLICAÇÕES PARA O CUIDADO VULNERABILITY AND CHRONIC HEALTH POPULATION GROUPS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CARE CRÓNICA Y VULNERABILIDAD EN SALUD DE GRUPOS DE POBLACIÓN: IMPLICACIONES

This article aims at classifying health vulnerability in health care practices of subjects in chronic conditions, analyzing the susceptibility of those subjects and the implications for nursing care. It was developed an exploratory analysis, at the Rio de Janeiro State University, in 2008, with 122 participants of health events. Theoretical framework resorted to concepts found in Public Health, and results were evaluated under the light of thematic analysis. It was observed that the percentage of variables, against the general context of health and socio-economic issues, employment, and housing strengthened the classification of vulnerabilities. That context confirmed the likeliness of exposure of individuals to illness as a result of a number of aspects, on the one hand, but, on the other hand, it also helped classifying vulnerabilities. It should be noted that the implications for direct care to health care practices based on the constructivist model cause the subjects to reflect on their attitudes, to create ways to avoid injuries in defense of their health, and to improve quality of life.