Spirituality, Religiosity and Quality of Life of Hypertensive and Diabetic Patients in a Referral Hospital in Pernambuco

Abstract Background Religiosity is a system of worship and doctrine that is shared by a group, and spirituality is the individual search for the meaning of life. The relationship between spirituality/religiosity (S/R) and health has a long history, and a positive correlation between spirituality and chronic diseases has been described in scientific literature, showing a decrease in morbidity and mortality in general. Objective To evaluate the association between S/R and the quality of life of patients with diabetes and/or systemic arterial hypertension. Method An observational, analytical, cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted with a sample consisting of 40 patients treated at the hypertension and diabetes outpatient clinic of a medical center in Recife. The collection used three assessment instruments (SSRS, Duke-DUREL scale, and WHOQOL-BREF). Data from the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (chi-square test and F test) using the R software, version 3.4.3. The level of significance in all analyses was 5%. The study was approved by CEP/IMIP, according to report no. 2.890.126. Result All four domains of the quality-of-life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) showed a positive relationship when correlated with the religiosity scale (DUREL), with statistical significance in the relationship between organizational religiosity and the environmental domain. When correlated with the spirituality scale (SSRS), WHOQOL-BREF also showed a positive relationship, except in the physical domain. Conclusion A positive relationship between quality of life and S/R was shown, thus confirming its importance for patients with diabetes and SAH.

Older adult sexuality in the practice and training of geriatricians: a qualitative study / Sexualidade do idoso na prática e formação de geriatras: estudo qualitativo

OBJECTIVE: To understand the academic training of geriatrics residents and their supervisors regarding the sexuality of older adults, as well as practical approaches to the subject in their work routines. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted with geriatrics residents and their supervisors at a public hospital in Recife, PE, Brazil in 2019 and 2020. RESULTS: A partial understanding of the respondents' concept of sexuality was identified through statements that expressed confusion between sexual intercourse and sexuality, as well as a lack of knowledge about sexuality on an individual level. Although the respondents affirmed the importance of discussing the subject, they reported that they do not, except passively. The respondents discuss this issue depending on the patient's questions, despite acknowledging their difficulty in seeking a health service to talk about sexuality-related issues. Finally, the lack of an approach to sexuality in geriatric consultations was linked with gaps in undergraduate and specialization programs about general care for older adults, resulting in a feeling of unpreparedness to face the taboos and prejudices associated with sexuality. CONCLUSION: Although professionals consider it important to address sexuality with patients, most of them do not do so in medical consultations due to a number of difficulties, including the lack of a protocol to follow, which leads to a passive approach. Therefore, professionals acknowledge the difficulty of addressing the subject and associate it with deficiencies in their academic training.

Compreender a formação acadêmica de preceptores e residentes de geriatria acerca do conteúdo sobre sexualidade em idosos, bem como a abordagem prática do assunto nas suas rotinas médicas. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo realizado entre 2019 e 2020, com preceptores e residentes de geriatria em um hospital público de Recife (PE), Brasil. RESULTADOS: Foi identificada compreensão parcial do conceito de sexualidade, observando-se falas que denotam confusão dos conceitos de relação sexual e sexualidade, além do desconhecimento da sexualidade no âmbito individual. Verificou-se, ainda, que, apesar de os profissionais de saúde afirmarem a importância de se discutir o tema, eles relatam que não o fazem e que, quando o fazem, utilizam a abordagem passiva, dependendo dos questionamentos do paciente, embora percebam a dificuldade dos idosos em buscar o serviço de saúde para falar sobre questões relacionadas à sexualidade. Por fim, a ausência de abordagem sobre sexualidade nas consultas geriátricas foi relacionada às lacunas deixadas pelos cursos de graduação e de especialização na preparação para um atendimento adequado aos idosos de maneira geral, resultando em uma sensação de despreparo para enfrentar seus tabus e preconceitos ao falar sobre sexualidade. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de os profissionais considerarem importante abordar o tema com os pacientes, a maioria não o faz nas consultas médicas por diversas dificuldades, entre elas a ausência de um protocolo a seguir, o que os leva a uma abordagem passiva do tema. Portanto, os profissionais entendem a dificuldade de abordagem do assunto e a associam à deficiência em sua formação acadêmica.