A política de desnutrição infantil no setor autônomo de Guiné-Bissau

Abstract

Introduction. Child malnutrition is a serious public health problem, especially in low-income countries like Guinea-Bissau, where chronic political instability and structural poverty hinder the development of effective child protection policies. Objective. To describe the child nutrition policy in Guinea-Bissau developed between 2020 and 2024. Methodology. This study involved documentary and bibliographic research, analyzing documents regarding health policies in Guinea-Bissau and Brazil, complemented by field notes from the Institute for Early Childhood (IPREDE) in Fortaleza, Ceará. Empirical data collection included semi-structured interviews with families of children being treated for malnutrition, allowing for triangulation between documentary evidence and lived experiences. Results. The analysis identified four thematic categories: the prevalence and epidemiological profile of child malnutrition (showing 28% chronic malnutrition and 6.5% acute malnutrition in Guinea-Bissau); the impact of political instability on the implementation of social programs; the coverage of community health workers and social protection; and a comparative analysis with Brazilian policies, highlighting the effectiveness of the Bolsa Família Program and the Family Health Strategy in reducing this health issue. Final considerations. Child malnutrition remains a significant issue in both countries, requiring the expansion of intersectoral public policies, systematic epidemiological studies, and the strengthening of social protection programs—with particular attention to the context of Guinea-Bissau, where international cooperation is a fundamental pillar in addressing this problem.