Abstract

COSTA, Jaqueline et al. Knowledge, beliefs and conducts about syphilis by maternal and child professionals. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2023, vol.24, n.2, pp.738-747.  Epub Oct 31, 2023. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/23psd240226.

Syphilis has proved to be a relevant indicator of the quality of health care, especially prenatal care, given its transplacental dissemination character. The objective of this article is to identify the knowledge, beliefs and behaviors of professionals who provide direct assistance to children diagnosed with congenital syphilis and their mothers. This is qualitative research, developed in a hospital and in ten units of the Family Health Strategy, located in the south of Brazil. A total of 40 health professionals participated in the study, including nurses, doctors, technicians and nursing assistants. The collection took place through semi-structured interviews, analyzed by discursive textual analysis. The results were divided into four categories, which showed syphilis as a public health problem, mainly due to the lack of information and awareness on the subject. The professionals pointed out the management of sexual partnerships as a difficulty. Still, judgments and beliefs instilled in professional practice were verified, as well as errors and successes in care, such as aspects related to compulsory notification, testing, treatment and care beyond prenatal care, making it possible to identify the main potential and weaknesses of professionals. It is believed that interventions based on needs assessment, resource allocation, health education actions and the implementation of public policies, considering the specificities of each service, can help to alleviate this problem.

Keywords : Syphilis; Knowledge; Health education; Health personnel.

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