OBJECTIVES: to evaluate aspects of primary health care (PHC) for children provided by the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in comparison with other child health care services in Montes Claros, in the Brazilian State of Minas Gerais. METHODS: a cross-sectional, descriptive quantitative study was carried out. Data were collected using a questionnaire called the Primary Care Assessment Tool, Children's Version, validated for use in Brazil (PCATool). The tool was applied to care-givers of children resident in a registered in areas covered by family health teams. Scores were given for the eight PHC sections. RESULTS: satisfactory scores were achieved for children who used the FHS as a regular source of health care in only two sections. Overall, there were no significant differences between children who used the FHS and those who used other kinds of service, except in the case of integration (availability of complementary services), and family and community guidance. The overall PHC score was near to ideal for children who used the FHS as a source of health care and higher than the score for care-givers who used other services. CONCLUSION: Adherence to PHC standards was more likely to occur in the FHS, although some aspects could be improved.
Primary health care; Family health program; Health services evaluation
