Assistência pré-natal e vigilância do crescimento infantil no contexto da Estratégia Saúde da Família em Queimadas, Paraíba, Brasil

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the prenatal care and monitoring of child growth (structure, process, data filling of Card/Child Health Record) in the context of Family Health Strategy in Queimadas, Paraiba, Brazil. Methodology: The quantitative study with cross-sectional data collection it was conducted in the 16 Family Health Basic Units (FHBU) of the city of Queimadas. The study included all children born during the year 2009 and their mothers, who were living in Queimadas at the time of data collection, and all the nurses of FHBU. We collected information from mothers (intercurrences during the prenatal, sociodemographic and economic characteristics) and nurses (aspects related to the structure of FHBU). The additional information related to prenatal care were collected card pregnant (number of consultations, gestational age at first consultation, performed exams). The information related to health, nutritional status and growth monitoring of children were withdraw from the Child Care Card / Child Health Record (CC/CHR). Results: The prenatal care was adequate, with no association with the socioeconomic characteristics of the families. The action of growth monitoring pointed failures related to professional training and records of weight and height of children in CC/CHR. Furthermore, the filling of CC/CHR presented problems, especially in items that have been incorporated into the Child Health Records (CHR). Conclusions: The attention to maternal and child health in the city of Queimadas has shortcomings related to growth monitoring. It is highlights the important of evaluative studies of maternal and child care as a guiding instrument for the quality of care provided.