Instruments for evaluating public health promotion policies: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the assessment tools available to evaluate public policies aimed at health promotion. Methods: This is an integrative literature review, using the Scientific Electronic Library Online and Virtual Health Library (Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde) databases, and consulting the gray literature, in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, in the period between 2010 and 2020, with the descriptors being consulted in MeSH and DeCS. Results: A total of 828 publications were found, of which 18 met the inclusion criteria. Different methodologies applied to the evaluation process were identified, such as quantitative and multidimensional, although there is a lack of instruments for monitoring and evaluation in health promotion. The development of impact and results assessments stands out, especially in primary health care, however, there was a need to include structures and processes in the methodologies. Conclusion: It is extremely important to recognize the importance of intersectorality, participatory methodologies and the development of evaluative models that consider the articulation of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, as well as the inclusion of sociopolitical issues inherent to the different realities where intra-sectoral and intersectoral health promotion policies are developed. However, the complexity of evaluating health promotion policies did not allow the identification of an evaluation standard, making it essential to develop new studies aimed at developing effective evaluation strategies related to health promotion.