[Knowledge and practices in breastfeeding promotion by Family Health teams in Montes Claros, Brazil].
The Family Health Strategy has been implemented in Brazil with the aim of reorganizing the health care system with an emphasis on promotion and prevention. Thus, encouragement for breastfeeding is one of the most important activities by family health care teams. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and practices by family health care teams in relation to breastfeeding. In addition to a questionnaire on health professionals' characteristics, a specific knowledge test on breastfeeding was conducted with 41 physicians and nurses and another test on the same subject was given to 152 community health workers. Scores were above 80% on the advantages of breastfeeding in all the teams, but knowledge on practical issues concerning technique and management of the main problems encountered in breastfeeding was not uniform among the health professions. Nurses scored better than physicians, and community health workers had the lowest scores. Practical activities to promote breastfeeding were not developed uniformly among health care professionals. There is a need for systematic and ongoing training in breastfeeding management in the family health teams.
Caldeira
Antônio Prates
AP
Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brasil. antonio.caldeira@unimontes.br
Nobre de Aguiar
Gabriel
G
Cavalcanti Magalhães
Weslane Almeida
WA
Fagundes
Gizele Carmem
GC
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001938:Brazil; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires