This investigation intended to examine the business of healthcare communication and information, during prenatal care carried out by nurses working in the Family Health Program (HFP) in Brazil. The data were collected in eight towns in Ceará state from May to June of 2001, using interviews, a questionnaire and participant observation. Thirty nurses and thirty pregnant women constituted the sample. It was observed that healthcare communication and information activities were implemented by the group in a more participative and innovative way, in the universe surveyed, therefore, it was performed less frequently. The absence of planning the group activities was observed, thus systematically and continuously jeopardizing the execution. It was seen that individual nurses have undertaken healthcare communication and information activities as part of routine care of pregnant women, their performance recognized by the government. These activities should be implemented in such a way as to replace medical consultations, with the purpose of helping the introduction of a healthcare promotion model.
Prenatal care; primary health care; health promotion; Health Education; communication