EVALUATION OF HUMAN MILK BANKS IN PIAUÍ AND BRAZIL: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: The Human Milk Bank (BHL) aims to collect, process, control the quality and distribution of pasteurized human milk for premature babies, low weight or hospitalized in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Objectives: To characterize, through production data from the Brazilian Network of Human Milk Banks, the actions developed by the Human Milk Bank of Brazil, as well as to verify and evaluate the data of the operation of the Human Milk Bank of Piauí, covering each region and comparing with the national data of the year 2022. Methodology: This is an epidemiological study with a quantitative retrospective approach with a secondary source on the data records of the year 2022. Results: In the State of Piauí, the total volume of milk collected was 1457.8 liters and 1104.5 liters were distributed, the number of donors was 1641 and recipients 1174. The volume of milk collected is not always distributed in an integral way, of all milk, 353.4 liters, that is, 24.2%, were not distributed. Discussions: With this, the state of Piauí is with the indicators similar to the average of the national indicators, however, they are below the average of the indicators of the Northeast Region. One can cite as a predisposing factor the fact that the state has only 01 BHL for the entire state. Conclusions: The study revealed that the BHL of the State of Piauí has a structure below the needs of the population. The demand for milk exceeds the capacity of BHL in Piauí.