HEALTH SCENARIO REGARDING THE CARE OF CHILDREN AFTER HOSPITALIZATION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Considering the challenges faced by parents or guardians after a child's hospital discharge, especially regarding continuity of care, medication administration, procedures, and monitoring for possible complications, a relevant problem emerges in the context of child health care. Added to this context is the influence of factors such as social support, resource availability, and the participation of health professionals in the home care process. Therefore, this study aims to understand the continuity of care and follow-up of children after hospitalization. To this end, a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted at the Child Health Clinic of a University Center in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco. The research involved the voluntary participation of 50 families of children followed at the institution. Among these children, 72% were male and 28% were female, predominantly in the 2-month to 1-year age range, with a length of stay between 1 and 10 days. It was also identified that the caregivers had low levels of education, lacked a fixed income, and had no formal employment. This study concluded that the post-hospital discharge period demanded significant support from families, highlighting the importance of public policies, health education initiatives, and strengthening multidisciplinary follow-up to ensure the continuity and quality of childcare.