TRAINING OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AGENTS TO PROMOTE THE SURVEILLANCE OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Studies indicate that training in the monitoring of child development can help to identify and/or prevent deficiencies. The more individuals involved, such as family members, care providers, health professionals, and educators, the better is the quality of child development. The objective of this project is to promote the health surveillance of children in primary care, involving the family health teams in São Carlos, through the training of graduate students in Occupational Therapy at the Federal University of São Carlos, as well as community health workers (ACSs). This extension activity is based on meaningful learning, divided into three phases: Firstly, the researchers enable students to use the booklet "Every time it's time to care." In the second stage, the students undertake the training of ACSs, and in the third stage, the ACSs use the contents of the booklet to work with families in their areas. The first two phases of the project have so far been completed. Problem-solving workshops directed at the participants used the booklet as supporting material and addressed nine key themes: care of pregnant women, bonding and affection, vaccination schedule, child development, nutrition, hygiene, care of childhood illness, accident prevention, and rights of the child. The participants were able to associate such issues with aspects of their own everyday lives, hence linking theory and practice. The difficulty of rapid detection of problems related to early childhood care was also addressed. The final phase of the work is being carried out and is expected to promote the empowerment of families.