Breastfeeding and health promotion in the Family Health Program

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the implementation of Health Promotion in the context of the Family Health Program. With that purpose, promotion of breastfeeding was used as a tracer condition. A field survey was performed, collecting data from 156 professionals and 286 mothers of babies until six months of age in five different municipalities, having in common the fact of being considered successful experiences. Results have shown that all programs were concerned about capacitating their professionals, and that most teams received an adequate amount of training. Both graduated professionals and community health agents had a performance above the average at the knowledge tests applied, although showing some deficiencies specifically in the area of breastfeeding clinical management. Most professionals are well involved in breastfeeding promotion activities. Their degree of involvement, however, varies, and do not always correspond to the impressions of the interviewed mothers, in aspects such as home visits to the newborn mothers, the timing of those visits, and the observation of the breastfeeding technique. No gross mistakes were detected, but the team’s performance could be more encompassing, reach a more significant number of mothers, and have a better quality of intervention. A large majority of the interviewed mothers feel supported by the health team to breastfeed. This feeling of support was significantly associated with two variables: to have been visited at least once during the post-delivery period, and to have been practically taught how to breastfeed. These associations strongly suggest that the Family Health Program is a privileged environment for the promotion of breastfeeding. Our survey has also detected an apparent over-reporting of Exclusive Breastfeeding rates by the age of four months by SIAB (Primary Care Information System). Based on those findings, some recommendations are made, concerning breastfeeding promotion in the Program’s context. In conclusion, the study points towards favorable tendencies concerning the implementation of health promotion in the Family Health Program’s context. It’s effectiveness could nevertheless be greatly improved if health teams are granted with time, methodological tools, adequate training and support.