FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SURVEILLANCE AND SAFETY IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Abstract

Food and Nutritional Surveillance is a monitoring tool that provides a diagnosis of the population's food and nutritional status. Consequently, it allows to know the Food and Nutritional Security reality of the population. In addition, it serves as a subsidy for policies, programs and actions that promote the strengthening of Food and Nutrition Security in different places, including the Primary Health Care. This study aimed to identify and analyze the scope and limits of Food and Nutritional Surveillance in Primary Health Care and its effects on Food and Nutritional Security actions. An exploratory study was carried out, with a quantitative
descriptive approach, which took place through research with an online electronic form answered by professionals who work at the Primary Health Care. The findings revealed that most professionals who responded to the survey were nurses and nutritionists. It was also observed that the anthropometric assessment was performed in a good part of the consultations. The groups with the highest percentages were children under 10 years old and pregnant women. The insufficient use of information collected from food and nutrition surveillance actions was another highlight. Finally, food and nutrition surveillance actions are directly related to the full development of Food and Nutritional Security.