Deployment analysis of the Brazilian Breastfeeding Network: challenges and prospects for promoting breastfeeding in primary care

• Published in: Cadernos de saúde pública 2013-11, Vol.29 (11), p.2261-2274
• Main Authors: Venâncio, Sônia Isoyama, Martins, Maria Cezira Nogueira, Sanches, Maria Teresa Cera, Almeida, Honorina de, Rios, Gabriela Sintra, Frias, Paulo Germano de
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: Brazil; Breast Feeding; Female; Focus Groups; Health Promotion; Humans; National Health Programs - standards; National Health Programs - statistics & numerical data; Primary Health Care - standards; Primary Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Program Evaluation
• ISSN: 1678-4464
• DOI: 10.1590/0102-311X00156712

The article evaluates the implementation of the Brazilian Breastfeeding Network, a strategy developed by the Ministry of Health to encourage breastfeeding in primary health care. We performed an evaluation study on the implementation analysis of component 1, considering three levels (Federal, State, and Municipal). A log-frame model and matrix of indicators for the Breastfeeding Network were developed. To understand the organizational context, applying the categories analyzed by Matus Triangles and the degree of implementation of the Breastfeeding Network, we used document analysis, interviews, and focus groups. The degree of implementation was obtained by assessing the proposed activities at all three levels; municipalities were evaluated according to Ministry of Health criteria for certification of primary health care services. We identified different organizational contexts and different degrees of deployment, ranging from 18 to 100%. The study showed the influence of context on the deployment strategy, such that more favorable contexts were associated with more advanced levels of deployment.