Knowledge of adolescent puerperal on newborn care

Abstract

Nowadays pregnancy in adolescence is becoming a common site. Probably the unfavorable biological, socio-economic and cultural factors that accompany adolescent during early pregnancy remain after birth, thus influencing the care given to the newborn. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge puerperal adolescents have about how to take care of their newborn babies, describe their difficulties and identify the agents that guide such process. This is a descriptive study of qualitative approach. It was carried out through semi-structured interviews with 12 adolescent mothers in their homes after previous contact during hospitalization at Hospital of Clinics of Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, from March to August, 2009. The collected material was subjected to the technique of content analysis proposed by Bardin (2004). It was possible to identify that the perception of care required by the newborn is still limited in adolescents. They present difficulties to provide care for their newborns by themselves, always depending on other people’s support. However, the action of a health care professional as a guiding agent was little mentioned, which seems to be a lack in the given assistance. It is believed that this study will contribute to the development of intervention strategies in different areas of health service, leading to support actions for puerperal adolescents.