Structural analysis of the prenatal care and the pharmaceutical service in a region of the municipality of Fortaleza-CE - doi:10.5020/18061230.2011.p296

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the structure of prenatal assistance and pharmaceutical service in ten family health centers in the municipality of Fortaleza - CE, Brazil. Methods: A descriptive study with quantitative approach, conducted in the period from January to December, 2009. The studied variables were: health center and attendance room structure conditions; available materials and equipments; tools for registration and follow up of activities; human resources; local pharmaceutical assistance management; medicine storage and distribution. Data collection consisted of a systematic observation of the structure of the prenatal care in the centers and of a form applied to pharmacists about the pharmacy service management. The variables related to the structure of the family health centers and of the pharmacy services were analyzed and measured by scale: insufficient (<49.9%); precarious (50-74.9%); satisfactory (75-89.9%) and excellent (90-100%). Results: The family health centers provided, an average of 48% for the classification of structure conditions, classified as insufficient. Regarding the attendance room conditions, they showed and average of 74%, classified as precarious. The average of availability of medicines essential to prenatal care in the analyzed centers was 41%. Conclusions: The structure of the studied Family Health Centers and the availability of drugs were considered insufficient, while prenatal care was precarious. We suggest to increase activities in which the pharmacy can relate to and act towards the prenatal care activities.