Self-reported knowledge of health professionals in Tocantins, Pará, and Maranhão: overview before and after the Central QualiTOPAMA actions

Abstract

This intervention study evaluated the impact of Continuing Health Education (CHE) actions, promoted by QualiTOPAMA, on the self-reported knowledge of 284 municipal health workers. Data collection occurred in 2020 and 2023 through an electronic questionnaire covering sociodemographic information, employment status, participation in training, and knowledge of Law 8.080/1990, Decree 7.508/2011, Ordinances 1.378/2013 and 3.252/2009, as well as Health Information Systems (HIS). Analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 23.0, with descriptive statistics and normality tests by Shapiro-Wilk, Chi-square, and Fisher’s Exact test at a 5% significance level. Participants were health workers from 12 municipalities, selected by convenience, who fully responded to both stages. Results indicated a prevalence of complete secondary education (29.8%), with most professionals working in Primary Care (64.2% in 2020) and holding statutory employment contracts (70.6%). The use of HIS was low, especially SIVISA (≤22.9%), while SINAN showed greater utilization (47.4% in 2020 and 55.8% in 2023). There was an increase of 18.4% in knowledge about Law 8.080/1990 and 28.5% regarding Decree 7.508/2011 and the National Health Surveillance Policy. It is concluded that the actions expanded legal knowledge and strengthened some HIS, but training weaknesses remain. Institutionalizing CHE as a permanent policy is necessary to reduce regional inequalities and consolidate the Unified Health System (SUS) in the Legal Amazon.