Access to primary healthcare services among adults with disabilities in Brazil
ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To investigate perspectives of people with disabilities in Brazil regarding the access to primary healthcare. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 individuals with disabilities in Pernambuco, Distrito Federal, and São Paulo between March 2020 and November 2021. T...
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| Format: | Article |
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Universidade de São Paulo
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Revista de Saúde Pública |
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102024000100241&lng=en&tlng=en |
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| author | Veronika Reichenberger Maria Eduarda Lima de Carvalho Tom Shakespeare Shaffa Hameed Tereza Maciel Lyra Maria do Socorro Velo de Albuquerque Loveday Penn-Kekana Christina May Moran de Brito Luciana Sepúlveda Köptcke Hannah Kuper |
| author_facet | Veronika Reichenberger Maria Eduarda Lima de Carvalho Tom Shakespeare Shaffa Hameed Tereza Maciel Lyra Maria do Socorro Velo de Albuquerque Loveday Penn-Kekana Christina May Moran de Brito Luciana Sepúlveda Köptcke Hannah Kuper |
| author_sort | Veronika Reichenberger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To investigate perspectives of people with disabilities in Brazil regarding the access to primary healthcare. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 individuals with disabilities in Pernambuco, Distrito Federal, and São Paulo between March 2020 and November 2021. These interviews were transcribed, coded, and analysed thematically, using the Levesque framework to identify healthcare access barriers. RESULTS Participants expressed a solid understanding of their healthcare needs and existing obstacles. However, individuals with hearing and visual impairments experience challenges because of communication barriers. In Pernambuco, the Community Health Agent was often the initial point of contact for primary care services. Public transportation lacked accessibility, from buses to driver attitudes, posing difficulties for people with disabilities. More accessible transportation and improved urban infrastructure could enhance service access. High medication costs were reported due to limited healthcare unit availability. Communication accessibility issues, inadequate audio-visual resources and equipment were also identified as barriers. Attitudinal barriers among healthcare professionals and subpar home visit services further hinder access. CONCLUSION To address these challenges and improve the well-being of individuals with disabilities in Brazil, comprehensive action is essential. This includes leadership, governance, and resource allocation reforms to meet healthcare needs. Initiatives like disability-focused training for service providers, enhanced transportation options, improved information accessibility, and increased support from community healthcare workers can collectively enhance the lives of people with disabilities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2d4e431186754853a18d58a8d589d764 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1518-8787 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Universidade de São Paulo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revista de Saúde Pública |
| spelling | doaj-art-2d4e431186754853a18d58a8d589d7642024-11-12T07:40:33ZengUniversidade de São PauloRevista de Saúde Pública1518-87872024-10-015810.11606/s1518-8787.2024058005842Access to primary healthcare services among adults with disabilities in BrazilVeronika Reichenbergerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6778-2682Maria Eduarda Lima de Carvalhohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7610-1348Tom Shakespearehttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2571-2787Shaffa Hameedhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2723-1709Tereza Maciel Lyrahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3600-7250Maria do Socorro Velo de Albuquerquehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1520-700XLoveday Penn-Kekanahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9758-4529Christina May Moran de Britohttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3775-6533Luciana Sepúlveda Köptckehttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7079-6575Hannah Kuperhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8952-0023ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To investigate perspectives of people with disabilities in Brazil regarding the access to primary healthcare. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 individuals with disabilities in Pernambuco, Distrito Federal, and São Paulo between March 2020 and November 2021. These interviews were transcribed, coded, and analysed thematically, using the Levesque framework to identify healthcare access barriers. RESULTS Participants expressed a solid understanding of their healthcare needs and existing obstacles. However, individuals with hearing and visual impairments experience challenges because of communication barriers. In Pernambuco, the Community Health Agent was often the initial point of contact for primary care services. Public transportation lacked accessibility, from buses to driver attitudes, posing difficulties for people with disabilities. More accessible transportation and improved urban infrastructure could enhance service access. High medication costs were reported due to limited healthcare unit availability. Communication accessibility issues, inadequate audio-visual resources and equipment were also identified as barriers. Attitudinal barriers among healthcare professionals and subpar home visit services further hinder access. CONCLUSION To address these challenges and improve the well-being of individuals with disabilities in Brazil, comprehensive action is essential. This includes leadership, governance, and resource allocation reforms to meet healthcare needs. Initiatives like disability-focused training for service providers, enhanced transportation options, improved information accessibility, and increased support from community healthcare workers can collectively enhance the lives of people with disabilities.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102024000100241&lng=en&tlng=enHealth Services AccessibilityHealth Services for Persons with DisabilitiesBarriers to Access of Health ServicesHealth Information Systems |
| spellingShingle | Veronika Reichenberger Maria Eduarda Lima de Carvalho Tom Shakespeare Shaffa Hameed Tereza Maciel Lyra Maria do Socorro Velo de Albuquerque Loveday Penn-Kekana Christina May Moran de Brito Luciana Sepúlveda Köptcke Hannah Kuper Access to primary healthcare services among adults with disabilities in Brazil Revista de Saúde Pública Health Services Accessibility Health Services for Persons with Disabilities Barriers to Access of Health Services Health Information Systems |
| title | Access to primary healthcare services among adults with disabilities in Brazil |
| title_full | Access to primary healthcare services among adults with disabilities in Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Access to primary healthcare services among adults with disabilities in Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Access to primary healthcare services among adults with disabilities in Brazil |
| title_short | Access to primary healthcare services among adults with disabilities in Brazil |
| title_sort | access to primary healthcare services among adults with disabilities in brazil |
| topic | Health Services Accessibility Health Services for Persons with Disabilities Barriers to Access of Health Services Health Information Systems |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102024000100241&lng=en&tlng=en |
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