ANÁLISE DA QUALIDADE DA CONSULTA DE PUERICULTURA NA ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA À SAÚDE, A PARTIR DA COMPLETUDE DOS REGISTROS DO ACOMPANHAMENTO DA CRIANÇA

Abstract

The Child Health Record (CHR) is an essential instrument for monitoring child growth and development, as well as for facilitating communication between health professionals and families. This study aimed to analyze the quality of childcare consultations in Primary Health Care (PHC) in Campo Grande, Brazil, based on the completeness of CHR records. This is an observational, cross-sectional, and documentary study with a quantitative approach, conducted between June and August 2025 in seven Family Health Units (FHUs). The sample consisted of 68 records of children up to 12 months of age. Data were analyzed according to completeness criteria adapted from Romero and Cunha (2006). The results showed that the CHR presented, overall, good completeness, with the highest average percentage at four months (93.36%) and the lowest at twelve months (77.91%), with no statistically significant differences between ages. The variables with the lowest completion rates were “signs of violence” and “vaccines up to date.” Recurrent gaps were observed in the recording of head circumference and child development, which compromises comprehensive child monitoring. The study highlights the central role of nurses in qualifying childcare consultations, coordinating care, and ensuring adequate record keeping. It is concluded that, despite satisfactory results, important weaknesses in the records persist, reinforcing the need for continuing education and greater recognition of the CHR as a key tool for promoting child health.