Update about the use of World Health Organization growth standards within the primary health care network of Rosario.

Abstract

At 10 years from the change of the child growth reference in Argentina, a study about the state of implementation of the growth standards of 0 to 5 years of the World Health Organization in primary health care was conducted. Methods: Cross—sectional study carried out in the city of Rosario, Santa Fe (May 2018—May 2019). Online surveys were sent to pediatric and general practitioners, and key informants were interviewed. The axes of inquiry were: appreciation of the tool, training strategies, and interventions to promote its use and interpretation. The analysis was quali—qualitative. Results: 95 surveys were completed and eight interviews were conducted. The adoption of the World Health Organization standards was considered a favorable change for Argentina. The interventions considered most useful by the surveyed physicians were: maintenance of equipment for anthropometric measurements, printing of growth charts for individual use, and promotion of nutritional counseling. Differences of opinion between physicians at health care centers and those in a management position were given by feasibility. Discussion: The physician’s opinions represent a great contribution to improve the quality of the control of child growth in primary health care.