Assistência pré-natal no contexto da pandemia de Covid-19 segundo trabalhadores da Atenção Primária à Saúde

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the greatest global health challenges of this century. There was a demand for the reorganization of prenatal services in Primary Health Care, which could be supported by the development of Permanent Health Education initiatives. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the experience of Primary Health Care professionals in prenatal care in the municipality of Marataizes, Espírito Santo, Brazil, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: This is qualitative research, through a case study, aiming at understanding reality in its context. The study included 12 workers who worked in prenatal care in Primary Health Care in the municipality in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual interviews were carried out using a guide-script consisting of questions related to daily prenatal care. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: The present study revealed changes in the organization of health services. Lack of knowledge about the disease and its consequences influenced the provision of prenatal care and acted as possible access barriers, even after the resumption of elective care for this group. New forms of communication needed to be established with the pregnant women, through tools such as WhatsApp, as well as an increase in the number of home visits. In addition, Permanent Health Education was fundamental in the process of training professionals to work in this new work reality. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: It was evidenced, given the necessary reorganization of prenatal care, that services needed to incorporate the use of new technologies, both for communication with pregnant women and to optimize their activities and develop strategies for Permanent Health Education. In this way, they sought to ensure that the maternal-infant care network could remain resolute and coordinated, focused on the needs of pregnant women in this context of uncertainties and challenges.