SIG Tel@ Amazônia: promoting dialogue between specialists and primary care professionals in maternal and child health/ SIG Tel@ Amazônia: promovendo a interlocução entre especialistas e profissionais de Atenção Básica na saúde materno-infantil

Abstract

The Brazilian Indigenous Health Survey showed an increase in birth rates but also found an increase in deaths from malnutrition in early childhood. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention involving primary care and childcare professionals' training on breastfeeding for indigenous infants. A cross-sectional panel-type descriptive study to assess breastfeeding interventions was conducted in two Special Indigenous Health Districts (SIHDs) of Amazonas State (Upper Rio Solimões and Upper Rio Negro) in 2018. The analysis compared the preintervention (January-June) and postintervention (September-December) periods in the two SIHDs and compared the intervention SIHDs with one SIHD that did not receive the intervention (Middle Rio Purus SIHD). As a result, there was a growth in lactation consultations after the intervention, with a 2,398% increase in Upper Rio Solimões and a 423% increase in Upper Rio Negro. Although the results show no evidence of early weaning, exclusive breastfeeding was ongoing for indigenous infants over six months of age. The participatory focus of the project's awareness-raising workshop guaranteed the health teams' active involvement. The Ministry of Health promotes training activities on the importance of counseling young indigenous women. However, the results show some uncertainty that this service is happening in the indigenous communities served by these SIHDs. Breastfeeding in indigenous peoples presents challenges that require specific public health interventions. Regarding the involvement of leaders and health professionals, there is an expectation of breastfeeding improvements in the region.