Factors related to quilombola attendance to child follow-up appointments.

OBJECTIVE

To understand factors interfering with the attendance of quilombola children to growth and development follow-up appointments.

METHOD: It is a qualitative research based on Symbolic interactionism, during which 14 mothers of children bellow 1 year-old were interviewed, who attended to the Family Health Unit at Ilha de Maré, Bahia, Brazil.

RESULTS

Appointment attendance is affected by factors intrinsic to mothers (meaning of child health follow-up; association between appointments and children falling ill; personal issues) and extrinsic factors, related to the service (availability, long waiting time for appointments and its quality).

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: An administration prioritizing the service's organization is required, which can prioritize attendances and the reduction of waiting time, specially given the personal issues that compromise going to the unit.