[The evolution of maternal and child healthcare and birth weight in the State of Pernambuco in 1997 and 2006]. / Evolução da assistência materno-infantil e do peso ao nascer no Estado de Pernambuco em 1997 e 2006.

The scope of this paper was to assess the evolution and influence of maternal and child care on birth weight variation in the state of Pernambuco. The study used data from two cross-sectional population-based household surveys conducted with under-five children in the state of Pernambuco in 1997 (n = 1906) and 2006 (n = 1555). The sample was calculated to ensure the representativeness of two geo-economic strata: urban and rural areas. The variables studied were prenatal, delivery care and birth weight. The x(2) test was used to compare the categorical variables and mean difference in birth weight was calculated between the years studied with the respective 95% confidence interval. A marked improvement was seen in prenatal care and an increase in the frequency of caesarean section. In the rural area there was a significant 112 g decrease in mean birth weight. In 2006, access to at least one prenatal care appointment occurred irrespective of maternal schooling, however, in 1997 and 2006 access to adequate prenatal care was higher among mothers with better schooling. In spite of the improvement in prenatal and delivery care, poor access, excess of medical interventions and the increase in newborn survival may be influencing the variations in mean birth weight in the State of Pernambuco.

Evolução da assistência materno-infantil e do peso ao nascer no Estado de Pernambuco em 1997 e 2006 / The evolution of maternal and child healthcare and birth weight in the State of Pernambuco in 1997 and 2006

Avaliar a evolução e a influência da assistência materno-infantil na variação do peso ao nascer no estado de Pernambuco. Os dados analisados provêm de duas pesquisas transversais da população de crianças menores de cinco anos, estudadas por inquéritos domiciliares em 1997 (n = 1906) e 2006 (n = 1555). A amostra foi calculada para assegurar a representatividade de dois estratos geoeconômicos: setores urbano e rural. Estudou-se a assistência ao pré-natal e parto e o peso ao nascer. Utilizou-se o teste do qui-quadrado para comparar as variáveis categóricas e calculou-se a diferença da média de peso ao nascer nos anos pesquisados, e os respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%. Verificou-se importante melhora na assistência ao pré-natal e aumento do parto cesáreo. Houve uma redução significante de 112g na diferença da média de peso ao nascer no meio rural. Em 2006 o acesso a pelo menos 1 consulta de pré-natal ocorreu independente da escolaridade materna, no entanto, o acesso ao pré-natal mais adequado foi maior entre as mães de maior escolaridade, tanto em 1997, como em 2006. Apesar da expansão da assistência no pré-natal e no parto, o acesso iníquo, o excesso de intervenções médicas e o aumento da sobrevida de recém nascidos podem estar contribuindo para as variações da média de peso ao nascer no estado de Pernambuco.

The scope of this paper was to assess the evolution and influence of maternal and child care on birth weight variation in the state of Pernambuco. The study used data from two cross-sectional population-based household surveys conducted with under-five children in the state of Pernambuco in 1997 (n = 1906) and 2006 (n = 1555). The sample was calculated to ensure the representativeness of two geo-economic strata: urban and rural areas. The variables studied were prenatal, delivery care and birth weight. The x² test was used to compare the categorical variables and mean difference in birth weight was calculated between the years studied with the respective 95% confidence interval. A marked improvement was seen in prenatal care and an increase in the frequency of caesarean section. In the rural area there was a significant 112g decrease in mean birth weight. In 2006, access to at least one prenatal care appointment occurred irrespective of maternal schooling, however, in 1997 and 2006 access to adequate prenatal care was higher among mothers with better schooling. In spite of the improvement in prenatal and delivery care, poor access, excess of medical interventions and the increase in newborn survival may be influencing the variations in mean birth weight in the State of Pernambuco.

[Monitoring of infant growth by health services in Pernambuco State, Brazil]. / Acompanhamento do crescimento em crianças menores de um ano: situação nos serviços de saúde em Pernambuco, Brasil.

A situational diagnosis was performed on infant growth monitoring in Greater Metropolitan Recife and in the interior of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, using the database from the Survey on Maternal and Child Health in the State of Pernambuco, 1998, which included 816 infants (< 1 year of age) and 120 health units. Epi Info version 6.04 was used for the analysis. In the health services infrastructure, 15.8% of the health units lacked infant scales and the Child's Health Card, and 75.4% lacked the guidelines for monitoring growth and development. Of these variables, the first two showed a difference between the two study areas. As for process evaluation, 81.2% of the mothers had the Child's Health Card, 53.1% of the children had been weighed, and only 21% had been measured. Mothers had received insufficient orientation. These variables also showed differences between the two study areas. Care for children with nutritional risk received little attention in the two areas, although there was a difference between the interior and Metropolitan Recife. In conclusion, monitoring of infant growth has not been effectively consolidated in the State of Pernambuco.

Acompanhamento do crescimento em crianças menores de um ano: situação nos serviços de saúde em Pernambuco, Brasil / Monitoring of infant growth by health services in Pernambuco State, Brazil

Realizou-se um diagnóstico situacional da ação de acompanhamento do crescimento em menores de 1 ano da Região Metropolitana do Recife e interior do Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Foi utilizado o banco de dados da pesquisa Atenção à Saúde Materno-infantil no Estado de Pernambuco, constituído por 816 crianças e 120 unidades de saúde. Para a análise utilizou-se o Epi Info versão 6.04. Na estrutura dos serviços observou-se que 15,8 por cento das unidades de saúde não dispunham de balança pesa-bebê nem de Cartão da Criança; 75,4 por cento não possuíam as normas de acompanhamento do crescimento e desenvolvimento. Dessas variáveis, as duas primeiras revelaram diferença entre as áreas estudadas. Quanto ao processo, 81,2 por cento das mães dispunham do cartão da criança; 53,1 por cento das crianças foram pesadas; e apenas 21 por cento foram medidas em seu comprimento. A orientação dada às mães foi bastante deficitária. Nessas variáveis houve diferença entre as duas áreas. A atenção à criança sob risco nutricional foi pouco considerada nas duas áreas, embora não tenha revelado diferença significante entre interior e região metropolitana. Portanto, a ação de acompanhamento do crescimento não estava efetivamente consolidada no Estado de Pernambuco.

A situational diagnosis was performed on infant growth monitoring in Greater Metropolitan Recife and in the interior of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, using the database from the Survey on Maternal and Child Health in the State of Pernambuco, 1998, which included 816 infants (< 1 year of age) and 120 health units. Epi Info version 6.04 was used for the analysis. In the health services infrastructure, 15.8 percent of the health units lacked infant scales and the Child's Health Card, and 75.4 percent lacked the guidelines for monitoring growth and development. Of these variables, the first two showed a difference between the two study areas. As for process evaluation, 81.2 percent of the mothers had the Child's Health Card, 53.1 percent of the children had been weighed, and only 21 percent had been measured. Mothers had received insufficient orientation. These variables also showed differences between the two study areas. Care for children with nutritional risk received little attention in the two areas, although there was a difference between the interior and Metropolitan Recife. In conclusion, monitoring of infant growth has not been effectively consolidated in the State of Pernambuco.