Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2005;5(1):17-26.

ISSUE Cover

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS IN CHILDHOOD: KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF DAYCARE CENTERS WORKERS

DOI: 10.31508/1676-3793200500003

Abstract

The study has an objectives to identify knowledge and practices of day-care centers workers relative to the prevention, early detection and management of respiratory illnesses in children. Fourteen workers from teaching daycare centers were interviewed and 16 from council daycare centers in the city of Sao Paulo, and the data were comparative analysed through statistical tests. A results pointed out that workers from teaching daycare centers recognized several disorders, mentioned pollution and transmission as more important causes, fever and noisy breath as danger signs, and do not report difficulties to care for. In the council daycare centers, the workers named less number of disorders, some of them related these problems to the maternal incautiousness; there were less number of references to specific cares to the child with respiratory infection, and the workers considered difficulties the need of extended observation of the child, as well the relationship with the family. Both groups have doubts concerning danger signs. It concluded, the daycare center workers need more knowledge for prevention and control childhood respiratory disorders.