Avaliação da qualidade da atenção pré-natal em 13 unidades da estratégia saúde da família no município de Juazeiro do Norte-CE

Abstract

This study evaluates the quality of prenatal care using the components, structure, process, and outcomes. It overall aimed to assess the quality of prenatal care conducted by teams of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) of the municipality of Juazeiro do Norte-CE, Brazil; evaluate the physical, human, material, and organizational resources applied in prenatal care; evaluate the technical activities conducted by health professionals in prenatal care; and analyze some outcome indicators arising from prenatal care. Evaluative research and regulatory review. As methodological strategy, we used the case study. Data collection happened in 2013 through three instruments. The results reveal that no health facility presented all structure components adequate. We considered the physical, material, and organizational resources as intermediate standard, with 66.2%, 67.9%, and 71.1% respectively. Human resources, however, obtained adequate standard, with 86.5%. We classified the overall assessment of the structure as intermediate (68.3%). As for the process, we verified low record of information considered important in prenatal. 76.5% of the pregnant women were adequate at level 1, but when associated with laboratory tests (level 2) the adequacy ratio was derisory (1.2%). When including clinical and obstetrical procedures (level 3) in this condition, we evidenced high inadequacy (83.5%), with no record of adequacy. The analysis of the indicators, despite not reflecting the full reality of the municipality, indicated iniquities among different strata. Therefore, we highlight the need for ongoing assessments for planning and organization of health actions, delineating the weaker aspects that need more investment, supporting reflections and discussions among professionals and managers, aiming to improve the quality of prenatal care.