Evaluation of food and nutrition actions in primary health care in Mato Grosso do Sul from the perspective of health professionals

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare in Brazil, through Primary Health Care (PHC), is considered a world reference, and food and nutrition actions are fundamental in this context, however, they are still incipiently implemented. Objective: To evaluate the practices of Food and Nutrition Actions performed by PHC teams in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Materials and methods: Descriptive study with a quali-quantitative approach through Participatory Diagnosis against a preconceived Theoretical Logic Model. The interviews were transcribed, complemented with field diary records, and the answers on the Activities Dimension were classified according to execution: "Yes'' (performed), "No" (not performed), and "Partial" (partially performed), attributed from the consensus of the majority of answers. Results: 111 professionals from 20 municipalities in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul participated. It was evidenced that food and nutrition actions take place in all assessed cities, with emphasis on the significant initiative and interest of professionals and the State in making food and nutrition actions increasingly effective, with the dimensions of Assistance and Food and Nutritional Care, Prevention of Diseases and Nutritional Disorders and Health Promotion performed in 60.0% or more of the municipalities, while the food and nutritional diagnosis in only 43, 0%. Conclusion: Providing more spaces for debate, as provided by the interviews, and the inclusion of different professional categories in the management and planning process can support this process, especially about food and nutrition diagnosis.