Nurses’ practices in caring for children in Primary Health Care: integrative review

Abstract

Primary Health Care in Brazil is structured to ensure that all individuals have access to health services. The main provider of primary care is the nurse, who plays a key role in promoting health through a set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that effectively support individuals throughout their lives. The nurse’s essential role in child care is particularly highlighted during nursing and child health consultations. In this context, the study aimed to examine the scientific evidence on nursing practices in child care within Primary Health Care. This is an integrative review, with searches conducted in four databases in February 2023. Sample selection was carried out by two independent researchers using the Rayyan software. The analysis was supported by the WebQDA software. A total of 33 articles met the eligibility criteria and were included for thematic analysis. From the thematic analysis of the selected studies, the phenomenon "Child Care Practices in Primary Health Care" emerged, systematized into three analytical categories: "Nurse's Role and Perception," "Child Nursing Consultation," and "Challenges in Child Health Care." The study highlights the potential of nursing actions in child care, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and family-centered approach, despite limitations in child health follow-up due to a lack of training, workload burden, and scarcity of specific protocols.