BANCO DE LEITE HUMANO E A PROMOÇÃO DA SAÚDE MATERNO INFANTIL

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.9382320124

• Palavras-chave: Aleitamento materno; Lactação; Leite humano; Saúde materno infantil.

• Keywords: Breastfeeding; Human milk; Lactation; Maternal and child health.

• Abstract: ABSTRACT: Objective: To understand the scenario for implementing a Human Milk Bank (BLH) and the possible effects on promoting maternal and child health in the municipality of Chapecó-SC. Method: cross-sectional design, documentary and qualitative research, carried out in November and December 2021, a time when the municipality did not yet have a human milk bank. Research approved by the Research Ethics Committee Involving Human Beings, opinion n.ᵒ 5,051,529. Secondary data collection was carried out in documents from the rBLH Documents Series in Data-Brazil 2000-2019 with an emphasis on the years 2015 to 2019. Qualitative data collection was carried out using a semi-structured online questionnaire. A nutritionist, a nurse and a nursing technician belonging to the breastfeeding teams were considered research participants. Results: it was evident that all Brazilian states have HMB. Among the three states in the southern region of the country, Santa Catarina has the highest number of HMBs in proportion to the population and is concentrated in the northern and coastal regions of the state. The study participants stated that maternal death and the availability of donor mothers were situations experienced in which an HMB available in the municipality would be necessary. They also revealed that the absence of a HMB impacts levels in the provision of adequate and healthy food for children who cannot be breastfed by their mother, using infant formula as a substitute. It is concluded that the municipality of Chapecó demands a HMB to serve the health of the maternal and child group in the municipality and region. In this sense, public policies were prioritized and the Chapecó BLH became a reality and its activities carried out at the beginning of 2023.