Promotion of breastfeeding to prevent bronchitis and acute bronchiolitis in children under one year of age in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The Bronchitis and Acute Bronchiolitis are respiratory tract infections caused by the respiratory syncytial virus that has highest incidence in children younger than 6 months old. It is one of the most common causes of hospitalization in infants, being associated with high morbidity levels. Objective: Identify the epidemiological profile of Bronchitis and Acute Bronchiolitis in children younger than 1 year old, in the city of Ribeirão Preto, in São Paulo, and present strategies for decreasing the gravity of the cases and number of hospitalizations. Methods: This is a descriptive ecological study based on collecting data about Bronchitis and Bronchiolitis in the Hospital Information System of SUS, in the period between august 2018 to august 2019. It was also done a systematic review in the according databases: Scielo, Virtual Health Library (VHL) and PubMed. Results: It was observed a total of 322 hospitalizations in children younger than 1 year, in the analysed period, in Ribeirão Preto, and it was noted a higher prevalence in males. Beyond that, it was observed a rising tendency of the time and average value of the hospitalizations, leading to a higher expense with this grievance. Discussion: The literature is based on the benefit of breastfeeding for reducing the gravity of the respiratory distress, and, consequently, the number of hospitalizations in this age group. Conclusion: The proposed interventions lead to a necessity of promoting breastfeeding, through school campaigns, professional capacitation of healthcare providers and raising awareness of families to reverse the current situation.

Key Words: Bronchiolitis. Breast Feeding. Respiratory Tract Diseases. Health Promotion.