Implementation of Breastfeeding-Friendly Primary Care Initiative: continued education and practical professional

Abstract

The Health Basic Attention Units are extremely important in actions involving maternal breast-feeding. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contributions of the continued education course proposed by the “Breastfeeding-Friendly Primary Care Initiative” (IUBAAM in Portuguese) for the practices of the maternal-infantile team.Descriptive qualitative research conducted in the Health Basic Unit, in the city of São Carlos-SP, from March to August of 2006, involving four professionals. For the data collection the next procedures were followed: individual interviews and observation. Data analysis was content-based. The professionals’ formation in maternal breast-feeding showed to be insufficient for their performance in the thematic. The course was evaluated as an important moment for learning and sharing knowledge. An attempt for changing individual practices was verified, however the implementation of support groups for mothers and expectant mothers was the most difficult activity to render feasible. Despite of the important contributions for professional practices, the qualification course, by itself, did not bring great changes in the attitudes of the professionals or in the routines of the health unit. The study points out the need of accompaniment of the implementation process of the steps considered by the IUBAAM and its evaluation