OBJECTIVE: to analyze the progress of the Friendly Postman Breast-feeding in the years of 1996 to 2002 in Brazil. METHODS: a descriptive study was accomplished. The data was collected through reports and telephone contacts with the people responsible for the Project in the States where the Project was implemented. RESULTS: the Ministry of Health implemented the Project in 1999 in eight states of the Brazilian Northeast where 3.000 postmen were trained and 665.000 children under one year old and pregnant women were potentially benefitted. In the year 2000 the project trained 6.100 postmen in the Northern, Mid-West and Northeast regions, conveying information to approximately 1.000.000 mothers of children under one year old and to pregnant women as well. In the years of 2001 and 2002 the project was extended to the rest of the country. In 2001 16.500 postmen participated, benefitting 2.900.000 children under one year old and pregnant women as well. In 2003 23.400 postmen were trained, beneficiaries were estimated in approximately 3.400.000. CONCLUSIONS: this projet is growing throughout the country and has conquered the trus of the people, of the partners involved and is strategically important to encourage breastfeeding in the country.
Evaluation; Breast feeding; Outcome assessment
