Implementation of health promotion in prenatal care at a public health service in Brazil

Abstract

Prenatal care is the assistance to women throughout pregnancy, birth and puerperium which is an important tool of primary care in the prevention of maternal and child injuries. Prenatal care programs must be horizontal and multidisciplinar according to Ministry of Health's protocols in order to achieve improvements in maternal and child morbidity and mortality indicators. This study is an original interventional project that occurred at a public primary care service in a town of Bahia, Brazil. It was noted some aspects that could be adapted to the Ministry of Health protocols such as shared appointments based on scientific evidence, introduction of prenatal dental care and education actions carried out in a multidisciplinary way. All strategies were implemented in the prenatal care using very low cost tools such as conversation wheels and physical activity schedule. Conversation wheels between pregnant women and caregivers are included in the health humanization policy in Brazil. They are strategies for permanent education in health. Conversation wheels aimed to valorize pregnant women and their life experience in order to build an environment rich in learning and approached them to the health service. The encouragement of physical activity promotes well-being, a sense of belonging and improvements in risk factors for prevalent diseases during pregnancy. Continuing education promotes autonomy's pregnant women. Finally, the involvement of primary care professionals who address different aspects of health promotes co-responsibility and commitment to the adequacy of services offered to the population. The integration of health prevention and promotion actions should be seen as a stimulus to build relationships of trust and bond between users, managers and health professionals. Thus, the implementation of primary care actions during pregnancy expands the woman's connection with the health service at this stage of life and can contribute to better maternal and neonatal outcomes.