OBJECTIVES: A descriptive study was carried out to evaluate the implementation of the Whole Attention to Child Health Program (WACHP) in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. METHODS: one health unit in each of the 176 municipalities and 6 units in the capital city of the state were selected for the study. The evaluation was based on the guidelines for evaluation of health programs as recommended by the Ministry of Health. Data collection took place from October to December 1995. RESULTS: the findings show that, in general, the program was poorly implemented. Program implementation was better for the immunization and breastfeeding components in the State as a whole and for the breastfeeding, growth and development and immunization components in the capital city . CONCLUSIONS: the findings were discussed in the light of the findings of the Second Health and Nutrition Survey for the state of Pernambuco, as well as of other studies carried out in the same field, which suggested that the WACHP implementation should be improved.
Assessment of health services and programmes; Child health; Breast feeding; Immunization; Child development
