Harassment of health professionals by the infant food industry at scientific events.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the receipt of sponsorships from breast-milk substitute companies by health professionals in scientific events. METHODS: Multicenter study (Multi-NBCAL) performed from November 2018 to November 2019 in six cities in different Brazilian regions. In 26 public and private hospitals, pediatricians, nutritionists, speech therapists, and a hospital manager were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were carried out regarding the health professionals' knowledge about the Norma Brasileira de Comercialização de Alimentos para Lactentes e Crianças de Primeira Infância, Bicos, Chupetas e Mamadeiras (NBCAL - Brazilian Code of Marketing of Infant and Toddlers Food and Childcare-related Products), companies sponsoring scientific events, and material or financial sponsorships received, according to profession. RESULTS: We interviewed 217 health professionals, mainly pediatricians (48.8%). Slightly more than half of the professionals (54.4%) knew NBCAL, most from Baby-friendly Hospitals. Most health professionals (85.7%) attended scientific events in the last two years, more than half of them (54.3%) sponsored by breast-milk substitute companies, especially Nestlé (85.1%) and Danone (65.3%). These professionals received sponsorships in the events, such as office supplies (49.5%), meals or invitations to parties (29.9%), promotional gifts (21.6%), payment of the conference registration fee (6.2%) or ticket to the conference (2.1%). CONCLUSION: The infant food industries violate NBCAL by harassing health professionals in scientific conferences, offering diverse material and financial sponsorships.

Harassment of health professionals by the infant food industry at scientific events / Assédio da indústria de alimentos infantis a profissionais de saúde em eventos científicos

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the receipt of sponsorships from breast-milk substitute companies by health professionals in scientific events. METHODS Multicenter study (Multi-NBCAL) performed from November 2018 to November 2019 in six cities in different Brazilian regions. In 26 public and private hospitals, pediatricians, nutritionists, speech therapists, and a hospital manager were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were carried out regarding the health professionals' knowledge about the Norma Brasileira de Comercialização de Alimentos para Lactentes e Crianças de Primeira Infância, Bicos, Chupetas e Mamadeiras (NBCAL - Brazilian Code of Marketing of Infant and Toddlers Food and Childcare-related Products), companies sponsoring scientific events, and material or financial sponsorships received, according to profession. RESULTS We interviewed 217 health professionals, mainly pediatricians (48.8%). Slightly more than half of the professionals (54.4%) knew NBCAL, most from Baby-friendly Hospitals. Most health professionals (85.7%) attended scientific events in the last two years, more than half of them (54.3%) sponsored by breast-milk substitute companies, especially Nestlé (85.1%) and Danone (65.3%). These professionals received sponsorships in the events, such as office supplies (49.5%), meals or invitations to parties (29.9%), promotional gifts (21.6%), payment of the conference registration fee (6.2%) or ticket to the conference (2.1%). CONCLUSION The infant food industries violate NBCAL by harassing health professionals in scientific conferences, offering diverse material and financial sponsorships.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Analisar o recebimento de patrocínios da indústria de substitutos do leite materno por profissionais de saúde em eventos científicos. MÉTODOS Inquérito multicêntrico (Multi-NBCAL) conduzido entre novembro de 2018 e novembro de 2019 em seis cidades de diferentes regiões brasileiras. Em 26 hospitais públicos e privados foram entrevistados pediatras, nutricionistas, fonoaudiólogos e um membro da chefia, mediante questionário estruturado. Foram realizadas análises descritivas do conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde sobre a Norma Brasileira de Comercialização de Alimentos para Lactentes e Crianças de Primeira Infância, Bicos, Chupetas e Mamadeiras (NBCAL), das empresas patrocinadoras de eventos científicos e dos patrocínios financeiros ou materiais recebidos, conforme a categoria profissional. RESULTADOS Foram entrevistados 217 profissionais de saúde, principalmente pediatras (48,8%). Pouco mais da metade dos profissionais (54,4%) afirmaram conhecer a NBCAL, principalmente em Hospitais Amigos da Criança. A maior parte (85,7%) dos profissionais de saúde havia participado de congressos científicos nos últimos dois anos, mais da metade, 54,3%, deles apoiados pela indústria de substitutos do leite materno, em especial pela Nestlé (85,1%) e Danone (65,3%). Patrocínios foram recebidos por esses profissionais nos eventos, como materiais de escritório (49,5%), refeições ou convites para festas (29,9%), brindes (21,6%), pagamento de inscrição (6,2%) ou de passagem para o congresso (2,1%). CONCLUSÃO As indústrias de alimentos infantis infringem a NBCAL ao assediar profissionais de saúde em congressos científicos, oferecendo patrocínios materiais e financeiros diversos.