ABSTRACT
Objective:
to understand the configurations of nursing care for children under five in Family Health Units, focusing on comprehensive health care.
Method:
qualitative research. Data were collected through a semistructured interview with 26 nurses, in a city in the State of São Paulo, between June 2013 and January 2014, and submitted to thematic content analysis.
Results:
two categories were elaborated. In the first, "The practice of child care: contributions of nursing", some actions were listed for comprehensive care, and the child's understanding was valued as a singular subject in the family and community context. The category "Support networks: weaving actions and articulations for access and comprehensiveness of child care" revealed the nursing consultation as a valuable instrument for nurses, for whom the availability of other sectors and health services to care for the children in their needs makes comprehensive care possible. The importance of access to actions that seek to improve children's quality of life and reduce potential risks to their growth and development was also stressed.
Conclusion:
as a contribution, the actions of nurses indicate ways for the comprehensiveness of care, corroborating current public policies. It is imperative that such actions be valued and transmitted to care settings that still lack comprehensive health care for children and their family, thus fulfilling commitments indicated in the agendas for this clientele.
DESCRIPTORS:
Primary health care; Integrality in health; Child care; Pediatric nursing; Comprehensive health care