NÍVEL DE CONHECIMENTO DOS PROFISSIONAIS DE EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL DE UMA CRECHE DE REDE PÚBLICA QUANTO A PROCEDIMENTOS REALIZADOS DIANTE DO ENGASGO EM CRIANÇAS

The number of choking deaths reported in children aged 0-9 years old, in Brazil, from 2009 to 2019, was 2,148. The average number of cases per year, from 2009 to 2019, was 195.27. In the decade considered, notifications of deaths due to choking in this age group showed no major changes, ranging from 174 in 2018 to 233 cases in 2013 (increase of 33.9%). The research investigated the level of knowledge of early childhood education professionals at a public daycare center in relation to the appropriate procedures to be adopted in cases of choking in children. It seeks to identify whether these professionals are prepared to deal with emergency situations, considering the importance of ongoing training and first aid training. This is descriptive research, with a qualitative and quantitative approach and cross-sectional design, carried out with 24 early childhood education professionals in Formoso do Araguaia-TO. Data were collected through a face-to-face questionnaire with 19 easy-to-understand questions on sociodemographic variables, experience with first aid, specific knowledge, variables related to attitude and variables related to aptitude. The results reveal significant gaps in educators' knowledge, highlighting the need for training programs that guarantee the safety and well-being of children.