BackgroundGestation is a period that can positively or negatively influence the life of a woman in the pregnancy-puerperal cycle. Thus, evaluating the quality of life of this population can redirect the implementation of innovative practices, with the goal of making them more effective and practical or the promotion of humanized care. The present study aimed to evaluate the predictors that influence the health-related quality of life of low-risk pregnant women, as well as to describe the main areas affected in the quality of life of pregnant women.MethodsA correlational, quantitative and cross-sectional study was carried out in two public units that provide prenatal care services and a private unit in the city of Fortaleza, a municipality in the Northeast of Brazil. The sample consisted of 261 pregnant women who were interviewed from September to November 2014. The collection instruments were a questionnaire covering sociodemographic, obstetric and quality of life variables, in addition to the Brazilian version of the Mother-Generated Index (MGI). The data were compiled and analyzed through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20.0. A descriptive analysis was performed through the application of Pearson’s chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and one-way ANOVA. Maternal predictors for the quality of life of pregnant woman were identified through a multivariate analysis/multiple regression.ResultsThe response rate was 100%, corresponding to 261 respondents. Occupation, parity, partner support, marital status and persons with whom the women live were the predictors that positively interfered in the quality of life of pregnant women. In contrast, gestational age, type of housing, occupation, use of illicit drugs, non-receipt of partner support and maternal age were the predictors that negatively influenced quality of life.ConclusionOur results indicate that happiness to become a mother and body image were areas with the greatest positive and negative influence on health-related quality of life, which suggests being relevant aspects in the planning and implementation of actions aimed at its improvement.

Objective: To analyze the effects of an educational intervention via telephone on maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy. Method: Randomized controlled clinical trial including 240 puerperae from a secondary care hospital randomized into two groups: control and intervention. The educational intervention took place at seven, 30, 90, and 150 days postpartum and centered on self-efficacy and motivational interviewing principles. Self-efficacy was measured by the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale – Short Form. The data followed the abnormal distribution, so non-parametric tests were used. Results: The intervention group obtained higher median breastfeeding self-efficacy scores across the three outcome measures when compared to the control group (p < 0,001). Furthermore, the intervention group showed increased self-efficacy scores at all monitoring moments, which shows that the educational intervention was able to raise and maintain women’s confidence in breastfeeding their child over time. Conclusion: The use of a telephone-based intervention focused on self-efficacy principles and delivered by trained nurses effectively promoted maternal confidence in breastfeeding. Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry: RBR-7m7vc8.

Objective: To analyze, in the light of the social-ecological theory, the temporal progression of gestational syphilis and its relationship with the implementation of the rede cegonha in Ceará. Method: This is a retrospective documental study, based on the information system of notifiable diseases about gestational syphilis in the perspective of the social-ecological theory. The sample consisted of all notifications from the state of Ceará in the period from 2007 to 2017. Data collection was carried out in October 2019. Results: A total of 229,558 cases of gestational syphilis was reported in Brazil; of these, 7,040 were from the state of Ceará (3.1%), with a growing increase in cases over the years. Regarding the distribution of syphilis cases between the period before and after the implementation of the rede cegonha, there was an association with education (p < 0.0001), clinical classification (p < 0.0001), and gestational age (p = 0.0005). Conclusion: Despite the implementation of public policies and improvement of the epidemiological surveillance system, there is still a long way to go to control syphilis during pregnancy.

Objetivo: descrever a assistência pré-natal segundo registros profissionais presentes na caderneta da gestante. Método: estudo quantitativo, realizado com puérperas de uma maternidade filantrópica, localizada em um município do interior do Estado do Ceará. Os dados sociodemográficos foram coletados em entrevista e as informações do pré-natal por meio da caderneta da gestante. Os dados foram analisados com base na estatística descritiva. Resultados: participaram 52 puérperas que possuíam de 15 a 40 anos. Observaram-se falhas no registro de informações do pré-natal, sendo as mais graves no que diz respeito aos exames laboratoriais e à avaliação nutricional da gestante. Considerações Finais: faz-se necessário uma mudança na conduta dos profissionais, por meio de qualificação acerca da assistência pré-natal e acompanhamento frequente por parte dos gestores de saúde do município, pois por meio do registro correto das informações obtidas durante a consulta é possível realizar acompanhamento adequado durante o parto e puerpério.

Objetivo: identificar as principais vivências, necessidades e dúvidas de puérperas de um município do interior do Ceará, com a finalidade de promover a saúde do binômio mãe-filho. Métodos: estudo descritivo de caráter qualitativo realizado no município de Acarape – Ceará, de abril a maio de 2015, com sete puérperas que receberam visita domiciliar, a partir de um convite no grupo de educação em saúde para gestantes. As visitas foram observadas e registradas em diário de campo para a análise de conteúdo dos dados. Resultados: foram elencadas quatro categorias Impressões das puérperas acerca do parto e dúvidas com os acontecimentos no seu corpo no período pós-parto; Atenção aos recém-nascidos; Interação mãe e recém-nascido; Planejamento familiar. Considerações Finais: as visitas domiciliares proporcionaram a discussão de temas importantes para as puérperas, de maneira complementar ao pré-natal, tornando-as mais empoderadas diante do autocuidado e do cuidado com o filho recém-nascido.