Assessment of the knowledge of postpartum women about the foot test at ``Hospital da Mulher`` at Santo André``

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1593852311101

• Palavras-chave: Foot test. Neonatal screening. Prevention. Health education.

• Keywords: Foot test. Neonatal screening. Prevention. Health education.

• Abstract:

  INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the knowledge of postpartum women about the foot test (PT) and its importance for the health of the newborn (NB). It also aims to contribute to the guidance of postpartum women regarding the need to carry out the test and check the result in Basic Health Units, in addition to promoting reflection on the role of different levels of care for mothers' knowledge about labor. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective cross-sectional analytical observational study, in which 84 postpartum women who gave birth at the Hospital da Mulher de Santo André were investigated, from February to May 2023. A form was applied by the researchers to the postpartum women present in the rooming-in. and the resulting data were analyzed using descriptive statistics using the Microsoft Office Excel program. An association test was carried out and statistical power was determined. RESULTS: Of the 84 postpartum women interviewed, 90.5% (76) had already heard of the foot test and 83 (98.8%) consider it important. With regard to how the test is carried out, 56% (47) knew how it is collected and 45% (53.6) correctly stated the appropriate collection period. However, when asked about the purpose of the test, 86.9% (73) of postpartum women were unaware of the diseases that can be diagnosed and 94% (79) were unaware of the consequences caused by these pathologies. When asked about information provided by health teams, 85% (71) stated that they had not received information about the test and 94% (79) would like to have received more information. DISCUSSION: The results obtained reveal a lack of knowledge about labor in the immediate postpartum period, which may highlight both a significant failure in guidance during prenatal care and a lack of information during the postpartum period in the hospital environment. In this sense, the important role of primary care in promoting health education stands out, guiding pregnant women during prenatal care and enabling greater participation and knowledge of mothers about the procedures to be performed on newborns. Associated with the important role of the Hospital in welcoming and informing postpartum women about immediate postpartum procedures, highlighting the PT and its functions. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of postpartum women about the foot test is superficial, providing discussions about the actions of health teams.