Challenges in Primary Care Regarding Children and Adolescents With Chronic Conditions in Brazil.

The coordination of primary care is pivotal to the management of chronic conditions. However, current systems may not be as efficient or effective as one would hope. This article addresses to the managers and health teams in the primary care setting and their challenges regarding children and adolescents with chronic conditions in Brazil. A qualitative study was conducted with 26 primary care professionals and managers using thematic content analysis. The results showed a scarcity of specialists for referrals and a lack of professional training for dealing with this specific group of patients. It is necessary to improve health information systems to ensure the continuity of care. Current health care of children and adolescents with chronic conditions is neither efficient nor effective. For this type of care to be comprehensive, the health needs of this population must be addressed and the operational structure of the health care network must be strengthened.

First week of integral health for the newborn: nursing actions of the Family Health Strategy. / Primeira semana saúde integral do recém-nascido: ações de enfermeiros da Estratégia Saúde da Família.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the nurses' actions of the Family Health Strategy about the First Week for Integral Health regarding the care devoted to the newborn. METHOD: It is a descriptive, exploratory research with qualitative approach carried out from October 2014 to February 2015, through a semi-structured interview, with nine nurses from the Family Health Strategy of João Pessoa-PB. Data were submitted to thematic analysis. RESULTS: The actions identified at the first visit to the newborn child are based on maternal guidance on basic newborn care, breastfeeding, neonatal screening, immunization and childcare, as well as evaluation of the puerperal, but it was sometimes performed outside the period recommended and with incomplete and outdated guidelines. CONCLUSION: Although there are potentialities in nurses' actions to this population, the fragilities compromise the care of the newborn and the puerperium, and it is necessary to sensitize these professionals about the importance and effectiveness of First Week for Integral Health.

Chronic disease in children and adolescents: professional-family bond for the promotion of social support. / Doença crônica infantojuvenil: vínculo profissional-família para a promoção do apoio social.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the bond in social support delivery by a multidisciplinary team to families during the hospital stay of children/adolescents with chronic disease. METHOD: Qualitative research, conducted in the pediatric unit of a public hospital in Paraíba State, Brazil, from November 2012 to July 2013, involving fourteen health professionals, by means of a semi-structured interview. The data were subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS: The bond between the team and the family is promoted by dialogue and listening, which are recognized sources of social support. The encountered difficulties that interfered with the delivery of social support were weakness in team-family communication and interaction, gaps in the organization of the work process and lack of hospital infrastructure. Possible approaches to overcome these obstacles were follow-up beyond hospital discharge and a stronger team-family bond. CONCLUSION: Satisfying social support has an influence on coping with chronic disease in children and adolescents, and its proper delivery relies upon bonding and embracement.

Chronic disease in childhood and adolescence: continuity of care in the Health Care Network.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the continuity of care for children and adolescents with chronic diseases in the health care network. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted between February and October 2013 with 12 families, six health managers, and 14 health professionals from different health care services in a municipality of the state of Paraíba, Brazil, using focal groups, semi-structured interviews, and medical record consultation. The data were analyzed by triangulation and thematic analysis. RESULTS: Two categories were created: "health care management" and "(dis)continuity of care." We found gaps in the system, including poor data recording aimed to facilitate follow-up and guide the planning actions as well as sporadic and discoordinate services with a limited flow of information, which hinders follow-up over time. CONCLUSION: Continuity of care in the health care network is limited and creates the need to develop strategies to improve these services. OBJETIVO: Analisar a continuidade do cuidado à criança/adolescente com doença crônica na rede de atenção à saúde. MÉTODO: Pesquisa qualitativa realizada entre fevereiro e outubro de 2013 com 12 familiares, seis gestores e 14 profissionais de saúde de diferentes serviços da rede de saúde de um município da Paraíba através das técnicas de grupo focal, entrevista semiestruturada e consulta a prontuários. A triangulação dos dados e a análise temática subsidiaram a interpretação dos dados. RESULTADOS: Foram construídas duas categorias: "Gestão da atenção à saúde" e "(Des)continuidade do cuidado". Constataram-se lacunas como a ausência de cadastro para favorecer o acompanhamento e nortear o planejamento de ações; atendimento pontual e desarticulado entre os serviços com fragilidade no fluxo de informações, que obstaculizam o seguimento ao longo do tempo. CONCLUSÃO: A continuidade do cuidado na rede de atenção à saúde está fragilizada e há necessidade do desenvolvimento de estratégias que a favoreçam.

Infantile autism: impact of diagnosis and repercussions in family relationships. / Autismo infantil: impacto do diagnóstico e repercussões nas relações familiares.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the context in which the diagnosis of autism is revealed and the impact of this revelation on family relationships. METHODS: This is a qualitative study with 10 families of autistic children assisted at the Psychosocial Care Centre for Children and Youths in a municipality of Paraíba. Data were collected between July and August 2013 through semi-structured interviews and interpreted using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: The identified Main Unit of Analysis and the respective categories were: the impact of disclosing the diagnosis of autism to the family; characteristics of diagnosis disclosure: the place, time, and the dialogic relationship between the professional and the family; changes in family relationships and the mother's burden when caring for the autistic child. CONCLUSIONS: The health professionals who report autism should better prepare the family to cope with the difficulties of this syndrome and autonomously care for the autistic child.

Educational action to monitor children's growth and development based on the theory of meaningful learning.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the effect of an educational program on the knowledge of Primary Health Care nurses regarding the surveillance of growth and development during childcare appointments. METHOD: A before-after intervention study with 30 nurses. The nurses' knowledge and practice assessment were done using a tool that had been developed and validated. The educational activity was carried out, linking child growth and development indicators with public policies for early childhood and nurses' practices. David Ausubel's Significant Learning Theory was used as a teaching-learning strategy. The same instrument was reapplied after one month. Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis and the proportion test, Wilcoxon test and Item Response Theory with the Rasch model were applied. RESULTS: The nurses checked more items right in the instrument after the intervention; there was an increase in the scores of correct answers and a decrease in the item response difficulty index in the knowledge and practice section, post-intervention. CONCLUSION: The educational activity had a positive effect, affecting changes in nurses' knowledge and practice, which enabled childcare consultations to become more qualified.

Hospital discharge intervention developed in a dialogical way with families to prepare them to care for children with chronic diseases at home: Mixed methods study.

A convergent parallel mixed methods design with qualitative data collection embedded in a quasi-experimental study was developed to examine the potential of three modalities of preparation for hospital discharge of the families of children with chronic diseases in terms of uncertainty levels and management of the disease at home. Caregivers of these children were divided into three groups: two experimental groups and one control group. Two scales were applied: one measured family management, and the other evaluated uncertainties in relation to the disease. In addition, an in-depth interview was conducted. Wilcoxon's test and the integrated response index were used in data analysis to compare performance between the groups. Inductive thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative data. The data were integrated, comparing the groups before and after preparation for hospital discharge. Twenty-five family caregivers completed this study. Data integration showed that the intervention group, in which the families developed planning to prepare for discharge in a dialogical way with professionals, presented better perceptions regarding care management when compared to structured guide and usual care groups. Participation of families in planning for hospital discharge showed a reduction in uncertainties regarding the disease and better care management of children at home.

Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the use of screens in early childhood.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the use of digital screens in early childhood, from the perspective of mothers and education professionals. METHOD: Qualitative study, based on Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory. Nine mothers of children under three years of age, enrolled in daycare centers in a municipality in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, and six education professionals who worked in these daycare centers participated. The data were collected between July and October 2021 via virtual interviews and analyzed according to inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: The restrictions imposed by the pandemic made screens the only available resource for children's educational activities, interaction, leisure, and distraction, causing an exponential increase in the time they spent in front of screens. CONCLUSION: The pandemic had a direct impact on the use of digital screens in early childhood, increasing the child's exposure time, according to parents and education professionals.

Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on breastfeeding and health promotion: perceptions of breastfeeding women. / Implicações da pandemia da COVID-19 no aleitamento materno e na promoção da saúde: percepções das lactantes.

This article aims to understand the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on breastfeeding and health promotion actions within primary care from the perception of breastfeeding women. This qualitative study was developed with 24 women who breastfed during the first year of the pandemic. Data were analyzed using Content Analysis and interpreted in the light of the Interactive Breastfeeding Theory (IBT). The pandemic affected the vulnerability of the mental health of breastfeeding women, entailed difficulties for the continuity of breastfeeding and early insertion of formulas, impacted COVID-19 preventive measures in breastfeeding, and produced changes in the work of breastfeeding women. Furthermore, areas for improvement were identified in health promotion actions and the mother-child binomial support due to the interruption of childcare visits. Actions to promote child health in primary care were unsatisfactory. However, most study participants maintained exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, which could adversely affect child morbimortality.

Este artigo objetiva compreender as implicações da pandemia da COVID-19 na prática do aleitamento materno e as ações de promoção da saúde no âmbito da atenção básica, a partir da percepção das mulheres lactantes. Estudo qualitativo, desenvolvido com 24 mulheres que amamentaram durante o primeiro ano da pandemia. Os dados foram analisados a partir da Análise de Conteúdo e interpretados à luz da Teoria Interativa da Amamentação. A pandemia repercutiu em vulnerabilidade da saúde mental das lactantes, dificuldades para a continuidade do aleitamento materno e inserção precoce de fórmulas infantis, adoção de medidas de prevenção contra a COVID-19 no ato da amamentação e mudanças no trabalho das lactantes. Além disso, foram identificadas fragilidades nas ações de promoção da saúde e no apoio ao binômio mãe-filho, devido à interrupção das consultas de puericultura. Conclui-se que, embora a maioria das participantes do estudo tenha mantido o aleitamento materno exclusivo nos seis primeiros meses, as ações de promoção da saúde infantil na atenção básica foram insatisfatórias, podendo repercutir negativamente na morbimortalidade infantil.

[Assessment of the implementation of an educational intervention on developmental surveillance with nurses]. / Avaliação da implementação de uma intervenção educativa em vigilância do desenvolvimento infantil com enfermeiros.

The objective of this study was to assess the difficulties experienced by Family Health Strategy nurses in implementing an educational intervention regarding developmental surveillance. A qualitative approach was used with the assistance of eleven nurses, who participated in developmental surveillance workshops in the context of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness. Data were collected from May to June 2009 and were analyzed on the basis of content analysis methodology, using the theme modality. Four thematic nuclei were identified: evaluation of the training course regarding developmental surveillance; difficult areas which hinder the application of the acquired knowledge; facilitating points provided by the course, and practice transformation based on the knowledge acquired during the training course. The study highlighted the urgency of incorporating contents that give priority to questions concerning the infants' developmental surveillance in undergraduate nursing education, as well as in the family health internship.

Management of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents by nurses: a mixed-method study.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the management of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents by nurses of the Family Health Strategy. METHOD: this is a study of convergent parallel mixed methods, developed in Health Centers of a municipality in northeastern Brazil. In the quantitative stage, data were collected from a questionnaire applied to 98 nurses and analyzed by descriptive statistics. For the qualitative stage, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven nurses, interpreted by inductive thematic analysis. The quantitative and qualitative results were integrated and presented by a joint display. RESULTS: most nurses rarely checked waist circumference (77.6%), dyslipidemia (55.7%), blood glucose (42.3%), and neither evaluated blood pressure (75.3%). In the qualitative results, we identified that there are nurses who did not classify body mass index according to sex and age. As for medical tests, the requests were mainly related to the routine of childcare. Guidance on physical activity and diet were given in a basic way or attributed to other professionals, and referrals to other services or professionals were not followed up. CONCLUSION: it is imperative to train nurses for the management of overweight and obesity in primary care for children and adolescents, with a view to quality of care for the prevention of comorbidities. KEYPOINTS: (1) There are weaknesses in the management of obesity in children and adolescents by nurses. (2) A mixed method was adopted, which is new and has understanding and inference in a single study. (3) The study suggests the development of specific protocols for nurses. (4) The research suggests continuing education actions for nurses. (5) With proper management, it will be possible to reduce this morbidity and comorbidities.

Motivation of children at risk for delay in development: the impact of an intervention with mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of an educational intervention with mothers on the motivation of children at risk for development delay, in the light of Paulo Freire's Theory. METHOD: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study carried out in March 2018 with mothers of children under two years old enrolled in Reference Centers in Early Childhood Education. Semi-structured interviews were carried out after an educational intervention and the data obtained by the thematic technique were analyzed. RESULTS: There was an increase in maternal knowledge and changes in attitudes about child motivation after intervention, enabling them to share information with other mothers and maternal empowerment to identify changes, motivation and autonomy to seek new ways to promote child development. CONCLUSION: The educational intervention proved to be effective, as mothers began to encourage their children at home and share information with other mothers.

Nursing consultations to children in primary health care: a feedback of researched data.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of a dissertation developed with nurses who perform childcare consultations in Family Health Units in a Health District of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. METHODS: Experience report of the presentation and interpretation of the research results, in 2018, with 42 nurses, using the conversation strategy with two focus groups. RESULTS: The nurses showed disappointment with the negative results evidenced in the study's feedback, but they highlighted the importance of this moment for discussion and reflection of their practices, thus arousing the interest in qualifying the child's health care. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: This study achieved the objective of promoting the dissemination of the findings of a research, coupled with the social and ethical commitment to return to the nurses and participating services with the feedback of the research results to improve the reality in which they work.

Continuity of neuro-psychomotor stimulation of children with congenital Zika syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Understand the continuity of stimulation of neuro-psychomotor development in children with congenital Zika syndrome. METHOD: Descriptive-exploratory study with theoretical support in symbolic interactionism. Between August and November 2019, 12 health professionals were interviewed in depth; and to the focus group, seven caregivers of children with the syndrome. The analysis was thematic inductive. RESULTS: The continuation of neuro-psychomotor stimulation of children with Zika syndrome goes through: organizational difficulties (lack of doctors, professional unpreparedness, dissatisfaction and search for other services); socioenvironmental aspects (low maternal education, low socioeconomic level, difficulty in moving and lack of support); and conditions inherent to children (hospitalizations for respiratory crises, seizures, hypoactivity and social stigma). FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: A strengthened support network with qualified human resources is necessary in order to provide comprehensive care and avoid the discontinuity of neuro-psychomotor stimulation of children with congenital Zika syndrome.

Covid-19 pandemic: experiences of mothers of infants who were born premature.

OBJECTIVE: To learn the experiences of mothers of infants who were born premature in the Covid-19 pandemic. METHOD: Qualitative study based on the Bioecological Theory of Human Development, developed in a public maternity hospital in Paraíba, Brazil, between June and July 2020 with 21 mothers of infants who were born premature, through semi-structured interview. The data were submitted to inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Mothers know the measures for prevention, transmission, and symptoms of the disease, as reported in the media, but have different perceptions about social isolation. Their experiences were permeated by financial difficulties, reduced social support and emotional stress. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: It is recommended to monitor child health and provide social support to the mother-child binomial remotely, so that there is no break in the continuity of the bond and care for the family in this moment of vulnerability.

Stimulation of children with congenital Zika syndrome at home: challenges for the caregivers.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the challenges faced by caregivers regarding the stimulation of the development of children with congenital Zika syndrome at home. METHOD: A qualitative study was carried out with ten caregivers of children with the syndrome and five health professionals who work in a specialized service of reference for children/adolescents with disabilities in a city in Pernambuco, Brazil. Data collection took place between November 2018 and March 2019 through a semi-structured interview, and the data were interpreted using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The challenges faced by caregivers are permeated by fear, insecurity and lack of support for the realization of the stimulatory activities at home. Practitioners acknowledge the situation but emphasize the importance of continuing the stimulatory activities to preserve the capabilities of these children. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to sensitize health teams to support families regarding the challenges faced and provide full time care for the child with Zika syndrome in order to achieve maximum development.

Ideal time for home visits to newborns: an integrative review. / Tempo ideal para a realização da visita domiciliar ao recém-nascido: uma revisão integrativa.

This study aimed to analyze in the scientific production in online journals regarding the ideal time to conduct home visits (HVs) to newborns (NBs) in their first week of life, and the difficulties in doing so due to the lack of a consensus around the subject. This is an integrative review based on data available on the MEDLINE, BVS, Web of Science and PubMed databases. Eight studies published between 2010 and 2015 were identified. The thematic analysis evidenced two topics, namely, the ideal time for the first home visit to the newborn, and difficulties in implementing the home visit to the newborn in the first week of life. The results suggest that the first visits should take place in the first week of life, especially within the second day after birth. However, some impediments to the realization of the home visit are found, such as geographical barrier, poor quality of care delivered by professionals, low number of notifications of mother-baby binomial hospital discharge, and mothers' lack of knowledge about the relevance of postnatal care. All this can impair the performance of health professionals, and requires investing in their professional qualification and service infrastructure.

O objetivo foi analisar a produção científica em periódicos online sobre o tempo ideal para a realização da visita domiciliar ao recém-nascido, na primeira semana de vida, e as dificuldades para a efetivação desta, devido à ausência de um consenso acerca do tema. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa que teve como fonte de dados publicações disponíveis nas bases MEDLINE, BVS, Web of Science e PubMed. Foram identificados 8 estudos publicados no período entre 2010 e 2015. A partir da análise temática evidenciaram-se duas áreas temáticas: Tempo ideal para a primeira visita domiciliar ao recém-nascido e Dificuldades para a efetivação da visita domiciliar ao recém-nascido na primeira semana de vida. Os resultados sugerem que as primeiras visitas devam ocorrer na primeira semana de vida, em especial, até o segundo dia após o nascimento. Porém, há barreiras para a concretização da visita domiciliar, como: barreira geográfica, baixa qualidade dos cuidados fornecidos pelos profissionais, escassa notificação da alta hospitalar do binômio mãe-bebê e desconhecimento das mães sobre a importância dos cuidados pós-natais. Tudo isso pode comprometer a atuação dos profissionais de saúde, fazendo-se necessário investir em capacitação destes e infraestrutura do serviço.

Effectiveness of an intervention with mothers to stimulate children under two years.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of an educational intervention with mothers to stimulate children under two years of age at risk for neuropsychomotor development. METHOD: Before-after intervention study, conducted with 52 mothers of children under two years old, enrolled in reference centers in early childhood education. Initially, maternal knowledge regarding child development and stimulation was assessed through a structured instrument. Then, workshops were held with the mothers and, after three months, maternal knowledge was revised, reapplying the data collection instrument. In the analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were used, applying the McNemar and Wilcoxon tests and the Rasch Model from the Item Response Theory. RESULTS: after the intervention, there was a significant increase in scores regarding the following aspects: knowledge of mothers about child development and stimulation from 5.77 ± 1.85 to 18.60 ± 1.94 (p <0.001); reduction of the maternal difficulty index in answering the instrument questions from 1.17 ± 0.57 to -1.98 ± 1.63 (p 0.01). CONCLUSION: the educational intervention contributed to the improvement of maternal knowledge regarding the development and forms of child stimulation, corroborating the importance of this action to advance the health of children at risk under maternal care at home.

Benchmarking of apps for mobile devices targeted at children's health / Benchmarking de aplicaciones para dispositivos móviles dirigidas a la salud infantil / Benchmarking de aplicações para dispositivos móveis direcionados à saúde da criança

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify which of the apps available for children include information on monitoring growth and development, in a way similar to the Brazilian Children's Handbook. Method: this is an exploratory research study to survey apps designed to monitor children's growth and development. The "Benchmarking" technique was used to assist in the process. The search for apps was carried out in January 2023 in the Google Play and App Store stores. The data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel. After classifying the variables, absolute and relative frequencies were calculated. Results: a total of 624 apps were identified. Of these, 491 were found in Google Play and 133 in the App Store. After analyzing the app descriptions and excluding duplicates, 48 software options were selected for the final sample. 41% (19) of the apps are in Portuguese, 36% (17) of those selected intend to record children's development, and only 2% (1) store children's growth, development and vaccination data. Conclusion: the absence of an app similar to Children's Handbook for monitoring and recording children's health within the Unified Health System scope was evidenced.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar cuáles de las aplicaciones disponibles para el público infantil incluyen información sobre el control del crecimiento, en forma análoga a la Libreta de Salud Infantil brasileña. Método: investigación exploratoria para sondear aplicaciones destinadas a controlar el crecimiento y desarrollo infantil. Para facilitar el proceso se utilizó la técnica de Benchmarking. Se buscaron aplicaciones en las tiendas Google Play y App Store, en enero de 2023. Los datos se tabularon en Microsoft Excel. Luego de clasificar las variables se calcularon frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Resultados: se identificaron 624 aplicaciones. De ellas, se encontraron 491 en Google Play y 133 en App Store. Después de analizar la descripción de cada aplicación y de excluir duplicados se seleccionaron 48 opciones de software para la muestra final. El 41% (19) de las aplicaciones estaba en portugués, el 36% (17) de las seleccionadas están destinadas a registrar el desarrollo infantil, y solamente el 2% (1) almacena datos de crecimiento, desarrollo y vacunación infantil. Conclusión: se hizo evidente que no existe ninguna aplicación similar a la Libreta de Salud Infantil para controlar y registrar la salud en este grupo etario para el ámbito del Sistema Único de Salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar quais dos aplicativos disponíveis para o público infantil contemplam informações sobre o acompanhamento do crescimento e desenvolvimento, análogos à Caderneta da Criança brasileira. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória de levantamento de aplicativos destinados ao acompanhamento do crescimento e desenvolvimento infantil. Para auxiliar no processo, foi utilizada a técnica de benchmarking. A busca pelos aplicativos foi realizada nas lojas de aplicativos Google Play e App Store, em janeiro de 2023. Os dados foram tabulados no Microsoft Excel. Após a classificação de variável, calculou-se a frequência absoluta e relativa. Resultados: Foram identificados 624 aplicativos. Desses, 491 foram encontrados no Google play e 133 no App Store. Após análise da descrição da aplicação e exclusão de duplicatas, foram selecionados 48 softwares para a amostra final. 41% (19) dos aplicativos apresentam-se na língua portuguesa, 36% (17) dos selecionados propõem-se a registrar o desenvolvimento da criança, e apenas 2% (1) faz o armazenamento do crescimento, desenvolvimento e vacinação infantil. Conclusão: Evidenciou-se a ausência de um aplicativo análogo à Caderneta da Criança para o acompanhamento e registro da saúde infantil para o âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde.

Care coordination in Health Care for the child/adolescent in chronic condition.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the care coordination for the child and adolescent in chronic condition and users planning in the Health Care Network. METHOD: Qualitative study, conducted with 26 health professionals and managers through Focus Groups. Thematic content analysis was used. RESULTS: Care coordination is fragile, with lack of support from the management, and presence of high turnover of managers and professionals. The limits in the network planning are due to frequent changes in the careflow. Communication between levels of care and lack of counter-referral makes network care unfeasible. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: There is a need for planning in the Health Care Network and establishment of careflow, as well as the construction of communication channels and tools of referral and counter-referral between professionals and services, for the constitution and integration of the network from the perspective of user-centered care.