Stork Network and multiprofessional team in the prenatal care and puerperium of Basic Health Units of Belém, Pará

Abstract

Purpose: to verify the knowledge of prenatal professionals and physiotherapists linked to the Basic Health Units (BHU) of Belém about Stork Network and Physiotherapy in the pregnancy-puerperal cycle; identify activities with pregnant women in these places; and define the profile of these professionals. Methods: This is a mixed, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, exploratory study by content analysis. Interviews were conducted with 69 professionals, recorded after their authorization, in eight BHU in Belém-PA. It was used an interview script, whose questions addressed the demographic and professional profile; and the main theme of the research. Using thematic-categorical analysis of Bardin (1979), for qualitative data; and Chi-square and G (adherence) tests (p ≤ 0.05) and BioEstat 5.0 software for quantitative data. Results: Among the respondents, only 22.2% have specialization in Collective Health and 36.1% in Maternal and Child Health; it was evident that the Stork Network and Physiotherapy in the puerperal pregnancy cycle are poorly known among the interviewed professionals, despite claiming to know the importance. As for the groups with pregnant women, they are multiprofessional when existing. Conclusion: there was lack of knowledge about Stork Network by most participants, as well as only a small portion showed knowledge about the possibilities of physiotherapy in the pregnancy-puerperal cycle; There is constant performance of the multiprofessional team with pregnant women in the units; Most of the interviewees were women, with an average age of 43.3 (± 9.4) years and with more than ten years of experience in Primary Care.