Assessment of the “comprehensiveness” attribute in Primary Health Care offered to children under two years of age

Abstract

Introduction: Primary Health Care consists of health promotion, prevention, and protection. Its effectiveness is linked to the presence of attributes that, in harmony, are capable of preventing approximately 80% of hospitalizations. Objectives: Therefore, this study aimed to assess the attribute “comprehensiveness” of Primary Health Care offered to children under two years of age in the municipality of Floriano, Piauí. Methodology: This is a quantitative, evaluative, and descriptive study with a cross-sectional design. The Primary Care Assessment Tool and a sociodemographic questionnaire were used, applied to parents or caregivers of children. One-hundred one parents or caregivers of children were interviewed. Results: Regarding the participants’ profile, mothers of children (84.2%), self-declared mixed-race (65.3%), and of low socioeconomic status (69.5%) predominated. The attribute “comprehensiveness” was positively assessed, with the item “available services” receiving a score of 6.9, while the item “services provided” received a score of 8.3, indicating a higher level of satisfaction. This indicates recognition of the diverse health needs of the population and their historical and social contexts. Conclusion: Thus, the results found allow us to identify the successes in relation to children’s healthcare, as well as the points of weakness, enabling future improvements.