Abstract
Introduction: The marketing of infant foods and related childcare products is regulated in Brazil since 1988, aiming to protect breastfeeding. The Brazilian Code for the Marketing of Infant and Toddlers Food, Nipples, Pacifiers and Baby Bottles (NBCAL) prohibits the sponsorship of manufacturers of these products to individuals, the same being allowed only to scientific teaching and research entities or associative entities nationally recognized. Objective: To evaluate the marketing of the infant food industry and related childcare products aimed at health professionals working in hospitals with obstetric beds. Methods: This investigation is part of the “Multicenter Study of Assessment of Compliance with the Brazilian Code for the Marketing of Infant and Toddlers Food, Nipples, Pacifiers and Baby Bottles” (Multi- NBCAL). A survey was conducted as between November 2018 and November 2019, in maternity hospitals from six cities (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Ouro Preto,Florianopolis, Joao Pessoa and Brasilia) by means of interviewing 10 health professionals (amongst the administrator, pediatricians, nutritionists and speech therapists) per hospital. An electronic questionnaire installed on the Magpi application, based on questions from the NetCode (Network for Global Monitoring and Support for Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions) was applied. Descriptive analysis was conducted. Results: 26 hospitals participated in the research, 217 health professionals being interviewed, mostly pediatricians (48.8%), who worked in the neonatal unit and in rooming-in wards. 23,0 % of the interviewed professionals claimed being familiar to NBCAL, but only 30,0% attended a course or had a class on the topic.Among health professionals who participated in scientific congresses and events in the last 2 years, 54.3% reported observing sponsorship of baby food industries in these locations. Professionals were offered office supplies (49.5%), on-site meals (29.9%), in addition to other irregularitiesConclusion: The infant food industries harass health professionals by offering sponsorship and gifts in disagreement with NBCAL, in scientific congresses, aiming to expand the demand for their products.
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