ABSTRACT

Purpose:

to learn the deaf people’s perspective on the improvements needed in this population’s health care.

Methods:

an observational, cross-sectional study conducted with 124 deaf people who answered a semi-structured questionnaire to characterize the sample (age, sex, and means of communication) and collect answers to the open question: “Do you have any suggestion to improve the health care for the deaf?” - which was answered either in writing or in the Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). A descriptive analysis was conducted to characterize the sample, as well as a quantitative and qualitative content analysis (thematic-categorical), to identify categories and occurrence frequency of the content in the answers to the open question.

Results:

the sample’s mean age was 44 years (standard deviation 15, minimum 18, and maximum 70 years), 65% were women, and 78% used Libras to communicate. Most of the participants (83%) answered the open question in writing. Six theme categories were identified: 1) Needed improvements; 2) Communication barriers); 3) Health promotion; 4) Autonomy; 5) Achievements; and 6) Law.

Conclusion:

the results reveal a need for improvements in the health care of deaf people. The perspective of the studied deaf population is based on their desire to gain autonomy, overcome communication barriers, and have access to information, aiming at health promotion.

Keywords:
Sign Language; Unified Health System; Access to Health Services; Public Health; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences