Abstract:

Aiming to improve low-risk prenatal care, the Brazilian Ministry of Health proposed a reorganization of the care model. The main objective of the program is the quality of the services provided. The priority is the establishment of strategies for permanent education of health professionals developing their basic skills for professional practice. This study aimed to identify the skill profile of nurses related to knowledge in low risk prenatal care in the Family Health Strategy of the South of Espírito Santo State. This study is an exploratory, descriptive research with a qualitative approach and cross-sectoral cutting. The sample included 83 nurses from 23 cities in the selected geographic region. A standardized questionnaire was created for this study. The Bardin technique was used for data analysis. The results indicate the predominance of nurses aged between 24 and 33 years old. Most of them had completed the undergraduate nursing course within 6 to 10 years. According to the work plan, 45% of the sample has a temporary service contract, 53% have a public tender. It was shown that 90% of the sample concluded postgraduate courses, with prevalence in the public health area. Knowledge analysis was categorized and sub-categorized: knowledge of the manual (updating and outdated); Knowledge of the institutional protocol (knowing, ignoring and importance of protocol); Knowledge of integrality in actions (comprehensiveness and little knowledge); Knowledge about the classification of the risk profile (professional awareness and culture); Knowledge of professionals in monitoring and evaluating care (information, registry, prenatal care and immunization). It is considered that “knowledge” is a main thing, considering the need of appropriation of the knowledge, from the formative process for instrumentalization of the nurse in the development of the necessary skills to the professional practice. It was verified the need for greater investments in In-Service Permanent Education, improving the knowledge of health professionals regarding the prenatal care, and improving the quality of health services.

Keywords:

Professional competence, Prenatal care, Continuing education, Nurses, Family Health Strategy.