Popular practices and beliefs in childcare: perceptions and behaviors of Primary Health Care nurses

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36517/2175-6783.20262796095

Keywords:

Child Health; Child Care; Nursing; Medicine, Traditional; Primary Health Care.

Abstract

Objective: to understand the role of Primary Health Care nurses in relation to popular practices and beliefs in children’s health care. Methods: qualitative study conducted with nine nurses in four Family Health Strategy units. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews guided by a script of open- and closed-ended questions. Content analysis was used. Results: organized into two thematic categories: Nurses’ perceptions of popular practices and beliefs related to children’s health, and Nurses’ conduct in addressing cultural practices in children’s health: strategies for action. Professionals recognize the use of popular practices and understand their historical and cultural construction. They use strategies such as adapted communication, bonding, and health education to act. Conclusion: nurses manage popular beliefs in childcare through dialogue and bonding, highlighting childcare as a space for negotiating knowledge. This expands the role of nursing in culturally sensitive care in Primary Health Care. Contributions to practice: the inclusion of this theme during undergraduate studies and in continuing education spaces can contribute to the training of professionals and the protagonism of subjects in therapeutic processes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Strobel NA, Chamberlain C, Campbell SK, Shields L, Bainbridge RG, Adams C, et al. Family-centred interventions for Indigenous early childhood well-being by primary healthcare services. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022;12(12):CD012463. doi: http://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012463.pub2

2. Oliveira ATSA, Moreira CT, Machado CA, Vasconcelos Neto JA, Machado MFAS. Crendices e práticas populares: influência na assistência de enfermagem prestada à criança no programa saúde da família. Rev Bras Promoc Saúde. 2006;19(1):11-8. doi: https://doi.org/10.5020/955

3. Canuto K, Preston R, Rannard S, Felton-Busch C, Geia L, Yeomans L, et al. How and why do women’s groups (WGs) improve the quality of maternal and child health (MCH) care? A systematic review of the literature. BMJ Open. 2022;12(2):e055756. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055756

4. Almeida TT, Silva ES. Saúde da criança na primeira infância: cuidados e saberes. Rev Cient Maratauira [Internet]. 2024 [cited Sept 10, 2025];1:9-18. Available from: https://maratauira.faculdadefam.edu.br/ojs/index.php/maratauira/article/view/4

5. Jiménez CL, Poyato ML, Montañés IC, Guix-Comellas EM, Fabrellas N. Paediatric nursing clinical competences in primary healthcare: a systematic review. J Adv Nurs. 2021;77(6):2662-79. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14768

6. Santos CERAP, Piran CMG, Dias JR, Shibukawa BMC, Ivanowski RCS, Furtado MD. Characterization of children attended in child care in primary health care. Nursing. 2021;24(283):6846-51. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.36489/nursing.2021v24i283p6846-6857

7. Picco TM, Baggio MA, Hirano AR, Caldeira S, Ferrari RAP. Child health care in primary care in a border region. Esc Anna Nery. 2022;26:e20210104. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2177-9465-EAN-2021-0104

8. Geertz C. A interpretação das culturas. Rio de Janeiro: LTC; 2008.

9. Leininger M, McFarland MR. Culture care diversity and universality: a worldwide nursing theory. Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2006.

10. Bardin L. Análise de conteúdo. São Paulo: Edições 70; 2016.

11. Souza LN, Nogueira LMV, Rodrigues ILA, Pinheiro AKC, Andrade EGR. Health care practices with Quilombola children: caregivers’ perception. Esc Anna Nery. 2023;27:e20220166. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-9465-EAN-2022-0166en

12. Deger VB, Butun A. Traditional care practices known and/or used by different ethnic groups for newborns during the postpartum period. BMC Public Health. 2025;25:1622. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22176-7

13. Barros V. O protagonismo da interdisciplinaridade na desconstrução do conhecimento hegemônico em saúde: o caso das Políticas de Medicina Tradicional e Complementar/Alternativa (MT/MCA). Rev Inter Hum. 2023;6(11):41-53. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.56242/revistaveredas;2023;6;11;41-53%20

14. Abdullah ASM, Dalal K, Yasmin M, Ussatayeva G, Halim A, Biswas A. Perceptions and practices on newborn care and managing complications at rural communities in Bangladesh: a qualitative study. BMC Pediatr. 2021;21:168. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02633-z

15. Nyande FK, Ricks E, Williams M, Jardien-Baboo S. Socio-cultural barriers to the delivery and utilisation of child healthcare services in rural Ghana: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22(1):289. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07660-9

16. Coombs NC, Campbell DG, Caringi J. A qualitative study of rural healthcare providers’ views of social, cultural, and programmatic barriers to healthcare access. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22(438):16. doi: http://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07829-2

17. Saraiva AKM, Macedo CM, Leonello VM, Oliveira MAC. Expansion of undergraduate Nursing courses: distance education scenario, interests, and challenges. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2021;55:e03784. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1980-220X2020009903784

18. Rozal JF, Monteiro EMLM, Marinus MWLC, Santos TA. Circle of Culture and permanent education for transformation of professional practice: an integrative review. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva. 2023;28(11):3215. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-812320232811.16782022EN

19. Rodrigues BA, Silva LMCP, Lucena HÍS, Morais EPG, Rocha AC, Alves GAS, et al. Nocebo effect in health communication: how to minimize it? Rev CEFAC. 2022;24(4):e3022. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0216/20222443022

20. Soares AKF, Sá CHC, Lima RS, Barros MS, Coriolano-Marinus MWL. Communication in health care from the experiences of Nursing students and teachers: contributions to health literacy. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva. 2022;27(5):1753-62. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232022275.21462021EN

21. Costa SRM, Ferreira DS, Oliveira VR, Teixeira BS, Santos DM, Soares A, et al. The importance of bonding and welcoming in the relationship between professional and user in a Basic Health Unit. Rev Eletr Acervo Saúde. 2025;25(6):e20368. doi: https://doi.org/10.25248/reas.e20368.2025

22. Silva WJ, Fonseca VCR, Silva TP, Santos LPS, Alencar BCS, Fagundes GRS, et al. Entre o vínculo profissional-usuário e a promoção de saúde: o papel das tecnologias leves na atenção primária à saúde. Braz J Implantol Health Sci. 2024;6(1):324-36. doi: https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2024v6n1p324-336

23. Baggio MA, Santos KJ, Werlang A, Ribeiro CCFS, Schapko TR, Pimenta RA. Health education in prenatal care: perspective of puerperal women and health professionals. Rev Enferm Atual In Derme. 2023;97(4):e023219. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.31011/reaid-2023-v.97-n.4-art.2016

24. Oliveira LGF, Fracolli LA, Castro DMCL, Gryschek ALFPL, Pina-Oliveira AA, Silva LA, et al. Longitudinalidade na atenção primária à saúde: explorando a continuidade do cuidado ao longo tempo. Arq Ciênc Saúde Unipar. 2023;27(7):3385-95. doi: https://doi.org/10.25110/arqsaude.v27i7.2023-009

25. Ganguly AP, Martin R, Barnett E, Smartt J, Harms M, Kho KA, et al. Childcare barriers and appointment nonadherence among women in a safety-net health system. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(4):e254715. doi: http://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.4715

26. Tello B, Mendoza-Gordillo MJ, Moreano M, Bates BR, Quinn K, Rogel C, et al. Nurturing care: perceptions and practices of caregivers for children under five in the Ecuadorian highlands – a qualitative study. Front Public Health. 2024;12:1373896. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1373896

27. Cardoso VV, Lisboa NS, Adelino BS, Marques IR, Boas IFV, Xavier LRJ, et al. Integração ensino-serviço-comunidade na Atenção Primária à Saúde: uma revisão integrativa. Com Ciênc Saúde. 2021;32(3):145-55. doi: http://doi.org/10.51723/ccs.v32i03.963

28. Freira NP, Cunha ICKO, Neto FRGX, Santiago BKA, Lourenção LG. Impacts of the infodemic on COVID-19 for Brazilian health professionals. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva. 2023;28(10):3045-56. doi: http://doi.org/10.1590/1413-812320232810.13902022EN

29. Ferreira Neto JL. Promoção da saúde e práticas grupais: um debate necessário. Interface. 2023; 27:e220591. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.220591

30. Bellas HC, Harris M, Souza JTV, Minton CJ. The 2019 National Health Survey and the importance of ACS in the PHC policy. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva. 2025;30:e22322024. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232025306.22322024EN

Published

2026-01-12

Data Availability Statement

The authors declare that the entire dataset is available only in the body of the article.

Issue

Section

Research Article

How to Cite

1.
Andrade E de O, Santos EO dos, Cruz VD, Sigaran LA, Prates LA. Popular practices and beliefs in childcare: perceptions and behaviors of Primary Health Care nurses. Rev Rene [Internet]. 2026 Jan. 12 [cited 2026 Feb. 25];27:e96095. Available from: https://periodicos.ufc.br/rene/article/view/96095