[Social control: a challenge for the health counselor]

The study aimed to analyze the profile of Health Counselors in the Municipality of Jequié-BA, and identify their knowledge about the function. A descriptive, exploratory and qualitative research was carried out with ten active Health Counselors, in 2008. Data analysis was performed according to the technique of Collective Subject Discourse, and the following categories emerged: the importance of acting as Health Counselor; counselor's function; and lack of training for the role. The results showed that they understand the relevance of social control. However, recognized that some Counselors still have a misconception about their role; showed a lack of training; and indicated the lack of parity as a serious problem that must be reviewed in order to make this board authentic. It was concluded that there is a need to review the actions and reset the representatives of the segments, government and health worker.