Orientação sobre atividade física na gestação por profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde

Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy provides several benefits. This study aimed to analyze whether, and how, PA is addressed in prenatal care within primary health care (PHC). A qualitative study was conducted with interviews of 16 physicians and 16 nurses from PHC, randomly selected from the four health districts of Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. Group activities with pregnant women were in decline at the local PHC, but when they occurred, they included PA guidance and practices. In consultations, most participants did not regularly provide such guidance, although they acknowledged its importance, knew how to deliver it, and expressed willingness to standardize this practice. Knowledge about PA in pregnancy stemmed more from exchanges with PHC colleagues than from academic training, and those who felt less knowledgeable were willing to improve. Reported barriers to practicing PA were mainly related to socioeconomic determinants and inequities. Considering the high technical qualifications of the participants, the national situation is likely to be even less favorable. It is necessary to strengthen professional training and, above all, to encourage the provision of such guidance in prenatal care, in order to improve the quality of care within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS

Health care · Pregnancy · Prenatal care · Primary care · Qualitative research · Socioeconomic status · Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare