Working with mothers of low weight (LW) children in a Public Health Unit in Rio de Janeiro, we tried to understand their social representations (SR) and health practices in order to influence the search for treatment and therapeutical observance. An explorative study based on the theory of Moscovici, included accounts from the group of mothers and 20 in-depth interviews, divided in two groups: 10 mothers whose children received clinical release and 10 mothers with children in medical treatment. We made a thematic content analysis. The study disclosed that SR of infantile malnutrition is associated to the idea of death, the end of life of their children. These mothers prefer to speak of LW, considered as transitory and recoverable by maternal care and medical treatment. The results of this work indicate how much the recognition of consensual popular knowledge, assists the good relationship with health services and therapeutical observance.
Child nutrition disorders; Patient compliance; Child health (public health)
