Conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde da atenção básica sobre aleitamento materno

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the knowledge of primary care health professionals about breastfeeding. This is a non-randomized before-and-after intervention study, with a quantitative approach, carried out with health professionals from a primary care unit. In data collection, self-completed questionnaires (pre-test and post-test) were used, prepared from Cadernos de Atenção Básica on breastfeeding and complementary feeding from the Ministry of Health to identify prior knowledge on the topic. It was found that the average number of correct answers in the pre-test was lower than the average number of correct answers in the post-test, which indicates that the continuing education activity had a effect on the professional’s knowledge of the topic. The most incorrect questions asked by professionals were related to the reception of pregnant women and nursing mothers, the composition of breast milk and the myths about the factors that interfere with breastfeeding. It is concluded that the activity had a effect on health professionals’ knowledge about breastfeeding, and that continuing education is fundamental for breastfeeding counseling