Estratégia educativa virtual para o apoio ao aleitamento materno exclusivo

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding (EB) presents important advantages for maternal and child health, contributing to the reduction of morbidity and mortality. Brazil is a worldwide reference in the promotion of the EB and currently there is a network of policies, programs and strategies with this objective. Despite this, the problem of early termination of exclusive breastfeeding is still a difficult reality to overcome. It is necessary to create and deep support strategies that take into account its multiple dimensions, especially actions after hospital discharge, when the woman is facing with most of the difficulties. This research had the objective of analyzing the support to the EB offered by a virtual group, after the hospital discharge. This is a qualitative study, carried out according to the assumptions of the Community-Based Participatory Research, within the framework of action research. The actions were conducted in a private community, from the social network facebook, titled Projeto Amamenta Mamãe, whose focuses in promote and support exclusive breastfeeding after discharge. To understand the support offered, the publications made in this virtual scenario were analyzed, totaling 56 publication topics and 784 comments. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 11 women who were part of this group. The analysis took place by the technique of content analysis proposed by Bardin, in the thematic modality, in the light of the interpretative framework. The group was a scenario of sharing secure information, exchange of experiences and expanding the social network of support of the participants. The creation of actions was based on the needs of women, contributing to their empowerment and their autonomy, inserting them as actors in the support process. The Projeto Amamenta Mamãe was considered a feasible and practical strategy, enabling its replication in the different fields of work of the professionals who work with breastfeeding.