THE USE OF THE CHILD’S HEALTH HANDBOOK FOR HEALTHCARE FOLLOW-UP

Abstract

Introduction: The Brazilian society is still facing difficulties in dealing with the question of infant mortality control. Among the control mechanisms, the child’s health handbook (CHH) is an indispensable tool for child development assistance in line with the current demands and changes promoted since 2005 by the Ministry of health. Objective: To analyze the national literature concerning the use of the CHH and the quality of its completeness. Materials and Methods: This was an integrative review using the BIREME virtual library and the databases LILACS, SciELO and BDENF. Among the articles published between 2005 to 2012, seven met the eligibility criteria and were selected to compose the sample. Results: There was a predominance of cross-sectional studies. Nursing and medicine were the professional categories which mostly published in this field. The studies were consensual on professional unpreparedness, lack of family orientation and unsatisfactory fulfillment of the CHH, as the main findings in their results. Conclusion: The CHH instrument has been underused, particularly due to the profile of assisting health professionals, which makes it indispensable to improve their training. Moreover, the design and development of specific strategies to further identify the barriers faced by health professionals and families on the use of the CHH is necessary. DESCRIPTORS Child Health. Growth and development. Medical Records. Health Records, Personal. Primary Health Care.