Child health booklet: assessment of completion and its use by families in basic health unitse

Child Health Booklet is an instrument for monitoring a childs health, essential for detecting changes in growth and development, as well as for preventing diseases and reducing morbidity and mortality. Correct and complete recording of information is fundamental for the CSC to fulfill its role in child health surveillance and promotion. However, what is observed in most studies is a failure in completion and a lack of awareness among families about the notebook. This study aimed to evaluate the completion of the CSC and its use by families in basic health units in a municipality in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul. It is an observational, cross-sectional, and prospective study, conducted through the application of a form followed by an evaluation of the notebooks completion. The study was conducted with a population of families attending child healthcare consultations or appointments with other healthcare professionals, and who were carrying the notebook. The sample consisted of 100 individuals, seen at four basic health units in the municipality, selected between September 2022 and November 2023. The study found 45% of the notebooks had unsatisfactory completion, including failures in recording growth and development items. The results reinforce the still deficient use of the CSC and underscore the need for professional training and family awareness to ensure its role in promoting child health.