Knowledge and actions for the promotion and protection of breastfeeding by primary health care professionals in Uberlândia, 2022

OBJECTIVE: To analyze, within the scope of primary health care, actions for the promotion and protection of breastfeeding, the knowledge and compliance with Law No. 11,265/2006, and the use of the National Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (Sistema Nacional de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional, SISVAN) by health professionals. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a probability sample of coordinators and health professionals. Two questionnaires were developed to collect data on professional training: knowledge and compliance with Law No. 11,265/2006; and knowledge and use of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System. Data were expressed as relative frequency, and the chi-square test was used to compare them according to the model of care and professional training. RESULTS: A total of 215 health professionals participated in the study, with only 12.4% reporting knowledge of Law No. 11,265/2006, and 30.4% describing its objectives. Conducting groups of pregnant women was the main action for promoting breastfeeding (82.3%), and most professionals (76.0%) managed it, focusing on latch and positioning. All coordinators and 77.7% of the professionals reported knowledge of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System, while 86.2% of the coordinators and 45.7% of the professionals were able to describe its objective; only 27.6% of the coordinators used its data to develop actions in their unit. CONCLUSION: The majority of professionals are unaware of the main law protecting breastfeeding. Groups of pregnant women constitute the main action for promoting breastfeeding. Despite knowledge of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System, its use as a basis for actions is insufficient.