[Mothers of children with autistic disorder: perceptions and trajectories]. / Mães de crianças com transtorno autístic: percepções e trajetórias.

Childhood autism is characterized by severe and global impairment in several areas of human development and demands extensive care and dependence on the parents. The objective of this study was to understand the perceptions of mothers of children with autism regarding changes suffered by the child and their trajectories in search of an autism diagnosis. This is an exploratory descriptive study with a qualitative approach conducted with ten participant mothers. Data were collected in 2013 by means of semi-structured interviews. Thematic content analysis produced the following categories: perceptions of mothers as to changes in behaviour and/or development of their children; and trajectories of mothers in search of a diagnosis for their children. After the perception of changes in behaviour/development, mothers face an arduous trajectory of healthcare service utilization.

[Infection prevention and control in neonatal intensive care unit]. / Prevenção e controle de infecçao em unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal.

This study was aimed to identify the knowledge of the nursing team of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on infection control, identijfying the factors that facilitate or hinder the prevention and control of Healthcare Associated Infections (HICAI). A descriptive study using a qualitative research method conducted with three nurses and 15 nurse technicians, who work in a NICU of a charitable organization, in southern Brazil. It became evident that the nursing staff had great knowledge about the factors that facilitate the prevention and control of HCAI in NICU, the most important factor being proper hand hygiene. Among the factors that hinder infection prevention and control are to overcrowding and excessive workload. The efficient performance of the nursing staff is an important part of the strategy for prevention and control of HCAI.

[Humanization of healthcare: perception of a nursing team in a neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit]. / Percepção da equipe de enfermagem sobre humanização em unidade de tratamento intensivo neonatal e pediátrica.

The humanization of healthcare is one of the key priorities of healthcare policies in Brazil, and directly reflects on the attitudes of user, employees and managers of health services. The aim of this study was to identify perception of the nursing team in terms of humanization of assistance in a neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit based on exploratory-descriptive research and a qualitative approach. A total of 11 members of a nursing team at the neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit of a hospital in southern Brazil participated in this study. Data was collected by means of semi structured interviews that were subsequently processed according to reference standards of thematic content analysis. This analysis resulted in three thematic categories: to humanize is to perceive the other as all-providing and all-supportive; bonding and communication as humanizing practices; and lack of ambience as a dehumanizing practice. Results showed that perception of the nursing team in relation to humanization is determined by the actual science and awareness of nursing care rather than specific acknowledgement of the National Humanization Policy.

[How a group of women perceives gestational hypertension disease]. / Percepções de um grupo de mulheres sobre a doença hipertensiva específica da gestação.

This study aims to identify the knowledge women in childbirth (puerperas) have regarding gestational hypertension disease (GHD), to learn how they perceive its risk and gravity, and to understand the repercussions of GHD for these women and their families. This is a descriptive exploratory study using qualitative research methods. Data collection took place through individual semi-structured interviews with ten women in childbirth (puerperas) who were diagnosed with GHD. The analysis of the data was performed using Content Analysis. Thematic categories emerged addressing the women's knowledge of GHD; how they perceive diagnosis and the professional care offered; and the repercussions GHD had for them and their families. The study highlights the necessity to rethink and to reorganize the model of perinatal care, not only at the tertiary level but also at primary healthcare centers.

[Mothers' knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding]. / Conhecimento de puérperas sobre amamentação exclusiva.

This is a descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, aimed to identify the knowledge of puerperal women on exclusive breastfeeding. Data were collected between September-October 2011, through semi-structured interview. Thirteen puerperal women, interned in a rooming unit of a public institution in the city of Caxias do Sul-RS, participated in the study. Data analysis was performed using thematic analysis. From the interpretation of information three categories emerged: the knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding, the breastfeeding process and the influences of received information. Even getting information from health professionals in the prenatal period, it is possible to understand that there is a need to improve communication and monitoring of mothers, as a continuity of professional care in the postpartum period, and also later, in the remote.