Conhecimentos e práticas de trabalhadoras de creches municipais relativos ao cuidado da crian?a com infec??o respiratória aguda

摘要

This study identified experiences and practices used by day care center workers in regard to prevention, early diagnosis and care of children with acute respiratory infections, given the extent of the problem in these locations. The data was collected during semi-structured interviews carried out with 14 children social workers and two nurse assistants from two municipal day care centers. The data was then organized in categories through thematic analysis of content and themes were quantified. Bronchitis was the most remembered illness, and fever, coughing and fatigue were the symptoms most mentioned; the seriousness were seldom mentioned; reference was made to negligence by mothers in causing ailments; many workers stated that they did not know how curb the occurrence of these illnesses. Some workers mentioned appropriate measures on how to carry out child care, but the majority based their actions on common sense and are unaware of specific care. Improvement of workers knowledge may help systematize care, as upheld by the Health Schools model.