FOR MORE INCLUSIVE HEALTH COMMUNICATION: CRITICAL REVIEW AND REDESIGN OF PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

Abstract

Health communication is part of prenatal and postpartum care and can be supported by educational materials used by health services. This study aimed to conduct a documentary analysis of official materials related to prenatal and postpartum care, focusing on content, language, organization, and accessibility characteristics identified in the documents. This is a qualitative, descriptive, documentary study based on the full reading and comparative analysis of two official documents: the Brazilian Pregnant Woman's Handbook, 2026 edition, and the Quick Reference Guide for Prenatal Care: Routine Care for Low-Risk Pregnant Women, published by the Municipal Health Department of Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The analysis considered categories related to content coverage, clarity and language, organization and visual resources, inclusion, and communication accessibility. The documents presented content related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, although they have different purposes and target audiences. In the specific analysis of the documents, characteristics related to accessibility were identified, as well as the absence, within the materials themselves, of indications of certain alternative formats. Based on the findings, guidelines are proposed for redesigning educational materials, with more objective language, organization by stages of care, and expanded accessible resources. Because this was a documentary analysis, the results do not allow conclusions about users' comprehension, satisfaction, usability, or effectiveness of the materials among pregnant women.