Evaluation of postpartum programs in Brazil: bibliometric profile of scientific production (2000-2019)

Abstract

Postpartum care is a component of women's health care, included in programs developed in Brazil, with the objective of improving maternal and child health indicators. The study aimed to analyze the state of the art of evaluative studies on programs related to puerperal care in Brazil from 2000 to 2019. The research was limited to the identification and analysis of articles published in peer-reviewed journals. The review was carried out based on research of the descriptors evaluation, programs and postpartum in the BVS, Scielo and Scopus portals, complemented by the verification of the references cited in the articles to include relevant studies. In total, 40 articles were identified, which were analyzed according to previously established criteria. The results of the bibliometric profile of intellectual production identified: absence of authors / research centers specialized in the evaluation interface and postpartum care programs, regional disparities in the production of knowledge, more articles on the Prenatal and Birth Humanization Program and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, with scarce use of theoretical and methodological references in the field of Evaluation. The discussion carried out seeks to contextualize the scientific production analyzed in relation to the constitution of the space of health Evaluation in Brazil.