Percepção do peso corporal e dificuldades encontradas pelas pessoas com deficiência visual na aquisição, na preparação e no consumo dos alimentos / Perception of body weight and difficulties encounteredby people with visual impairment in acquiring, preparing and consuming food

Objetivo: investigar a percepção do peso corporal e as dificuldades encontradas pelas pessoas com deficiência visual na aquisição, na preparação e no consumo dos alimentos. Metodologia: estudo observacional transversal, com adultos e idosos com deficiência visual em Pelotas/RS, realizado no período de abril a maio de 2023. Foi utilizado um questionário composto de 42 itens. Os dados coletados foram analisados por análise descritiva e analítica, e apresentados como média ± desvio padrão ou percentual. Resultados: a amostra contou com 20 pessoas, predominantemente do sexo feminino e idosas. Em relação ao consumo alimentar, 50% dos participantes consomem feijão, 75% frutas e hortaliças, 50% bebidas adoçadas, biscoitos recheados e doces. Referente à percepção do peso corporal, percebeu-se que a maior parte do grupo sente que está acima do peso adequado e se sentem "insatisfeitos(as)". Sobre as dificuldades encontradas, 85% dos participantes relataram dificuldade extrema para identificar a validade dos alimentos, 70% para comprar alimentos frescos e perecíveis e 40% para usar a faca para cortar e descascar os alimentos. Conclusão: verificou-se que a maior parte do grupo sente que está acima do peso adequado e estão "insatisfeitos(as)" em relação ao peso corporal. Além disso, dependem de outra pessoa para escolher os alimentos a serem comprados, saber o prazo de validade, preparar alimentos que precisam ser porcionados, servir refeições no prato, cortar carnes, descascar vegetais e frutas, utilizar faca, entre outros. Esta dependência pode influenciar diretamente no seu consumo alimentar quando essas pessoas se encontram sozinhas, optando por consumir alimentos industrializados de fácil preparo ou prontos.

Objective: to investigate the perception of body weight and the difficulties encountered by people with visual impairments in acquiring, preparing and consuming food. Methodology: cross-sectional observational study, with adults and elderly people with visual impairment in Pelotas/RS, carried out from April to May 2023. A questionnaire composed of 42 items was used. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical analysis, and presented as mean ± standard deviation or percentage. Results: the sample included 20 people, predominantly female and elderly. Regarding food consumption, 50% of participants consume beans, 75% fruits and vegetables, 50% sweetened drinks, stuffed cookies and sweets. Regarding the perception of body weight, it was noticed that the majority of the group feels that they are overweight and feel "dissatisfied". Regarding the difficulties encountered, 85% of participants reported extreme difficulty in identifying the expiration date of food, 70% in purchasing fresh and perishable foods and 40% in using a knife to cut and peel food. Conclusion: it was found that the majority of the group feels that they are overweight and are "dissatisfied" with their body weight. Furthermore, they depend on someone else to choose the food to be purchased, know the expiration date, prepare food that needs to be portioned, serve meals on the plate, cut meat, peel vegetables and fruits, use a knife, among others. This dependence can directly influence their food consumption when these people are alone, choosing to consume easily prepared or ready-made processed foods.

Reducing falls among visually impaired individuals on railway platforms: Field research on environmental challenges and solutions.

The aim of this study is to assess the extent to which visually impaired people are at risk of falling from railway station platforms and to identify opportunities for improvement. A barrier-finding fieldwork approach was used to conduct this study. A total of 412 stations' platforms were examined to provide recommendations for enhancing platform safety. The study found that four major factors contribute to accidents in which visually impaired individuals may fall from railway station platforms. These factors include "the spatial layout of the platform", "the warning tactile pavers", "the Fall Prevention Hoods", and "the fall prevention fences and platform screen doors ". Based on the findings of the study, several measures are recommended to enhance the safety and accessibility of railway station platforms for visually impaired individuals. These measures include closing the gap between the platform and the train, installing Fall Prevention Hoods at lower heights near the feet so that they can be detected using a guide cane, and avoid the placement of directional tactile pavers close to the front end of the train cars or at the platform edge facing train car couplings, etc.

Alteraciones retinianas detectadas por screening con cámara retinal no midriática y derivación a oftalmología en una población de alto riesgo cardiovascular / Retinal alterations detected by non-mydriatic retinal camera screening and referral to ophthalmology in a population with high cardiovascular risk

Objetivo Describir las principales alteraciones retinianas detectadas por screening con cámara retinal no midriática y evaluar los factores relacionados con la derivación a oftalmología en una población de alto riesgo cardiovascular en Palmira, Colombia. Materiales y métodos Estudio observacional de tipo transversal, con 11.983 registros fotográficos de pacientes con hipertensión y diabetes mellitus del programa de enfermedades crónicas de Gesencro S.A.S. entre 2018 y 2020. Se evaluaron con regresión logística los factores de riesgo relacionados con la derivación a oftalmología y se obtuvieron los odds ratios (OR) crudos y ajustados. Resultados Se analizaron 11.880 registros; la edad media fue de 67,7±12años, y el 69,5% fueron mujeres. Entre las alteraciones retinianas se encontraron pacientes con retinopatía diabética clasificada como más que leve (10%) y gradoI de retinopatía hipertensiva (54,9% ojo derecho, 51,9% ojo izquierdo). También se identificó edema macular (15%). Solo 2.069 (17,4%) pacientes requirieron derivación a oftalmología; el 81,3% requirieron control a 1año y el 1,3% a los 6meses. En el análisis multivariado los factores de riesgo que se relacionaron con la probabilidad para ser derivados fueron: el género masculino, la edad mayor o igual a 60años, la hemoglobina glucosilada (HbA1c) fuera de metas, la enfermedad renal crónica avanzada y la razón microalbúmina-creatinina moderada a severamente elevada. Conclusión Este estudio permitió determinar la importancia que tiene el screening con cámara retinal no midriática en pacientes de alto riesgo cardiovascular para detectar alteraciones retinianas y evaluar factores de riesgo asociados con derivación a oftalmología. El documentar tempranamente el compromiso ocular en estos pacientes podría prevenir y evitar la discapacidad visual y la ceguera (AU)

Objective To describe the main retinal alterations detected by non-mydriatic retinal camera screening and to evaluate factors related to referral to ophthalmology in a population at high cardiovascular risk in Palmira, Colombia. Materials and methods Cross-sectional observational study, which included 11,983 photographic imaging records of patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus from Gesencro's S.A.S. comprehensive chronic disease care program between 2018 and 2020. Risk factors associated to referral to ophthalmology were evaluated with logistic regression, and crude and adjusted ORs (odds ratios) were obtained. Results A total of 11,880 records were analyzed; 67.7±12years old, and 69.5% were women. Among the retinal alterations were patients with diabetic retinopathy classified as more than mild in 10% and gradeI hypertensive retinopathy in 54.9% right eye, 51.9% left eye. Macular edema was also identified. Only 2069 patients (17.4%) required referral to ophthalmology, and for imaging control 82.6%. In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors associated with the probability of being referred were male gender, age 60years and older, glycosylated hemoglobin out-of-target, advanced chronic kidney disease and the microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio moderate to severely elevated. Conclusion This study makes it possible to determine the importance of screening with a non-mydriatic retinal camera in patients at high cardiovascular risk to detect retinal abnormalities and assess risk factors associated with referral to ophthalmology. Early documentation of ocular compromise in these patients could prevent and avoid visual impairment and blindness (AU)

[Retinal alterations detected by non-mydriatic retinal camera screening and referral to ophthalmology in a population with high cardiovascular risk]. / Alteraciones retinianas detectadas por screening con cámara retinal no midriática y derivación a oftalmología en una población de alto riesgo cardiovascular.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the main retinal alterations detected by non-mydriatic retinal camera screening and to evaluate factors related to referral to ophthalmology in a population at high cardiovascular risk in Palmira, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study, which included 11,983 photographic imaging records of patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus from Gesencro's S.A.S. comprehensive chronic disease care program between 2018 and 2020. Risk factors associated to referral to ophthalmology were evaluated with logistic regression, and crude and adjusted ORs (odds ratios) were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 11,880 records were analyzed; 67.7±12years old, and 69.5% were women. Among the retinal alterations were patients with diabetic retinopathy classified as more than mild in 10% and gradeI hypertensive retinopathy in 54.9% right eye, 51.9% left eye. Macular edema was also identified. Only 2069 patients (17.4%) required referral to ophthalmology, and for imaging control 82.6%. In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors associated with the probability of being referred were male gender, age 60years and older, glycosylated hemoglobin out-of-target, advanced chronic kidney disease and the microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio moderate to severely elevated. CONCLUSION: This study makes it possible to determine the importance of screening with a non-mydriatic retinal camera in patients at high cardiovascular risk to detect retinal abnormalities and assess risk factors associated with referral to ophthalmology. Early documentation of ocular compromise in these patients could prevent and avoid visual impairment and blindness.

Loneliness and Social Support among the Middle-Aged and Elderly People with Visual Impairment.

Loneliness is associated with depression, sleep disturbance, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and it is a global public health problem. Since physical and mental health have a great impact on loneliness, middle-aged and elderly people who are blind or visually impaired may be more affected by loneliness. Previous research has confirmed that effective social support can enhance physical and mental health and alleviate the negative effects of life stress. Therefore, in this study, we applied a cross-sectional design where data were collected using questionnaires completed in person, by phone, or online for a total of 456 middle-aged and elderly people with visual impairment. We found that the enrolled participants who were unemployed, lacked a stable source of income, lived alone, or were unable to move independently were prone to experiencing high levels of loneliness and low social support, which highlights the necessity of interventions such as counseling to alleviate the sense of loneliness in such groups. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social support measures to reduce the sense of loneliness should be highly encouraged to ensure that middle-aged and elderly people with visual impairment can continue to live independently, and social support seems to be an important factor.

Social network support practices for people with visual impairment: integrative review / Prácticas de apoyo de redes sociales para personas con discapacidad visual: revisión integradora / Práticas apoiadoras da rede social das pessoas com deficiência visual: revisão integrativa

Objective: to analyze practices that support the social network in the daily lives of people with visual impairments. Method: integrative review. The searches were performed in the databases BDENF, CINAHL, CUIDEN, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science, SciELO and Cochrane virtual libraries. Data were collected in May 2018. Results: the search resulted in 2,879 studies. Ten articles were selected, published between 2004 and 2016, with a predominance of the family and rehabilitation services as main supporters. Instrumental support was identified in nine articles and the prominent supporting practices were the availability for listening, dialogue and social company. Conclusion: the supportive practices offered by the dynamics of the social network constitute a driving strategy in the quality of life of people with visual impairment, and the family is the institution that most supports and is present throughout the web of relationships and social construction.

Objetivo: analizar las prácticas que apoyan la red social en la vida cotidiana de las personas con discapacidad visual. Método: revisión integradora. Las búsquedas se realizaron en las bases de datos BDENF, CINAHL, CUIDEN, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science, SciELO y bibliotecas virtuales Cochrane. Los datos fueron recolectados en mayo de 2018. Resultados: la búsqueda resultó en 2.879 estudios. Se seleccionaron diez artículos, publicados entre 2004 y 2016, con predominio de los servicios de familia y rehabilitación como principales sustentadores. El apoyo instrumental se identificó en nueve artículos y las prácticas de apoyo destacadas fueron la disponibilidad para la escucha, el diálogo y la compañía social. Conclusión: las prácticas de apoyo que ofrece la dinámica de la red social constituyen una estrategia impulsora en la calidad de vida de las personas con discapacidad visual, y la familia es la institución que más apoya y está presente en toda la red de relaciones y construcción social.

Objetivo: analisar práticas apoiadoras da rede social no cotidiano de pessoas com deficiência visual. Método: revisão integrativa. As buscas foram realizadas nas bases de dados BDENF, CINAHL, CUIDEN, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science, bibliotecas virtuais SciELO e Cochrane. Os dados foram coletados em maio de 2018. Resultados: a busca resultou em 2.879 estudos. Foram selecionados 11 artigos, publicados entre 2004 e 2016, com predomínio da família e dos serviços de reabilitação como principais apoiadores. O apoio instrumental foi identificado em nove artigos e as práticas apoiadoras em destaque foram a disponibilidade para a escuta, o diálogo e a companhia social. Conclusão: as práticas apoiadoras ofertadas pela dinâmica da rede social constituem uma estratégia propulsora na qualidade de vida da pessoa com deficiência visual, sendo a família a instituição que mais apoia e está presente em toda a trama de relações e construção social.

Social Contact for Older People with Visual Impairment Through Mastery of Smartphones: Barriers and Suggested Solutions.

Older people with visual impairment are more prone to feeling lonely than their seeing peers. Research suggests that learning to use smartphones can improve psychological well-being in older adults. We seek to further explore and find solutions to three barriers for increased use and mastery of smartphones by older people with visual impairment, namely how to a) reach and motivate this group to learn to use a smartphone; b) improve the provision of training for this group, and c) organize support after training to increase the possibility for continued use. Data is collected through interviews and meetings with various stakeholders on a national and local level in Norway. Based on the results we provide some recommendations for future work to lower the barriers and to improve inclusion of older people with visual impairment into the information society.

Relation Between the Degree of Use of Smartphones and Negative Emotions in People With Visual Impairment.

The use of smartphones has become commonplace, even among people with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of smartphone use on the negative emotions of people with visual impairment. This study analyzed data from 30 respondents with visual impairments obtained from the 2016 Internet Overdependence Survey in South Korea. The analysis was based on partial least squares regression with information search, leisure, communication, and online transactions as independent variables, and negative emotions comprising depression, anxiety, and loneliness as the dependent variables. Among people with visual impairment, the use of smartphones as a means of communication decreased negative emotions while their use for leisure or information search was related to an increase in negative emotions such as depression and loneliness. Use for information retrieval was found to be associated with a low level of anxiety, and use for online transactions was associated with low loneliness. The results of this study showed that the use of the Internet can be a means of providing interaction opportunities and reducing negation emotions for people with visual impairment.

Tecnologia assistiva sobre amamentação para pessoas com deficiência visual: comparação Brasil e Portugal / Tecnología de asistencia sobre amamantamiento para personas con deficiencia visual: comparación entre Brasil y Portugal / Breastfeeding assistive technology for people with visual deficiencies: comparison between Brazil and Portugal

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever o resultado da validação aparente e de conteúdo da tecnologia assistiva "Amamentação em ação", junto a pessoas com deficiência visual de duas realidades, de Portugal e Brasil. Método: estudo de validação aparente fundamentado no modelo da psicometria composto dos polos teórico, empírico e analítico. Participaram, no Brasil, 19 pessoas com deficiência visual e em Portugal 21. O construto é a Tecnologia Assistiva em formato cordel, "Amamentação em Ação", elaborada no Brasil e adaptada para aplicação também em Portugal. Para coleta, foi utilizado computador com sintetizador de voz e sistema de leitura de tela do computador para cegos. Para os itens de avaliação utilizou-se escala tipo Likert. Resultados: entre os participantes da América do Sul prevaleceram adultos jovens com escolaridade correspondente ao ensino fundamental e entre os europeus, idosos com ensino fundamental. Concernente à tecnologia propriamente dita, em todos os tópicos e itens houve excelentes avaliações com alguns tópicos analisados diferentemente nos dois países. Os participantes gostaram da Tecnologia Assistiva, mas para validar utilizando o sintetizador, precisou-se de tempo, e mesmo assim, muitas vezes, foi complexo. Alguns se recusaram a responder isto pode estar relacionado ainda à ausência da inclusão digital. Conclusão: concluiu-se que a tecnologia foi avaliada. A mesma foi bem-aceita e conclui-se que para pessoas com deficiência visual ainda são necessárias novas estratégias de inclusão, tanto na saúde como em outras áreas.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir el resultado de la validación aparente y del contenido de la tecnología de asistencia "Amamantamiento en acción", junto a personas con deficiencia visual de las realidades en Portugal y Brasil. Método: estudio de validación aparente fundamentado en el modelo de la sicometría y compuesto de polos teóricos, empíricos y analíticos. En Brasil, participaron 19 personas con deficiencia visual y en Portugal 21 personas. El constructo es la Tecnología de Asistencia en el formato cordel, "Amamantamiento en Acción", elaborada en Brasil y también adaptada para su aplicación en Portugal. Para la obtención de datos se usó un computador con sintetizador de voz y sistema de lectura de pantalla del computador para ciegos. Para los ítems de evaluación se utilizó la escala de tipo Likert. Resultados: entre los participantes de América del Sur prevalecieron los adultos jóvenes con escolaridad correspondiente a la enseñanza primaria y entre los europeos, los ancianos con enseñanza primaria. En relación a la tecnología propiamente dicha, en todos los tópicos e ítems hubo excelentes evaluaciones con algunos tópicos analizados de forma diferente en ambos países. Los participantes gustaron de la Tecnología de Asistencia, pero para validar utilizando el sintetizador se precisó de tiempo, y aun así, muchas veces resultó ser complejo. Algunos se negaron a responder por estar relacionado con la ausencia de la inclusión digital. Conclusión: se concluyó que la tecnología fue evaluada. La misma fue bien aceptada y se concluye que para las personas con deficiencia visual todavía son necesarias nuevas estrategias de inclusión tanto en la salud como en otras áreas.

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the result of the apparent validation and content of the assistive technology "Breastfeeding in action", with visually impaired people from two realities, Portugal and Brazil. Method: an apparent validation study based on the psychometric model composed of the theoretical, empirical and analytical poles. Participants were 19 people In Brazil and 21 people in Portugal with visual impairments. The construct is the Assistive Technology in a cordel format, "Breastfeeding in Action", developed in Brazil and adapted for application in Portugal. For data collection, a computer with a voice synthesizer and computer screen reading system for the blind was used. For the evaluation items a Likert-type scale was used. Results: among the participants of South America, young adults with elementary education and among the Europeans, older adults with elementary education prevailed. Regarding the technology itself, in all topics and items there were excellent evaluations with some topics analyzed differently in the two countries. The participants liked the Assistive Technology, however, it took time for the validation using the synthesizer and, even then, it was often complex. The refusals to participate may have been related to the absence of digital inclusion. Conclusion: it was concluded that the technology was evaluated. It was well accepted and it was found that, for people with visual impairment, new inclusion strategies are still necessary, both in health and in other areas.

Um olhar sobre a deficiência visual e a prática de atividade física ao longo da vida / A look at visual impairment and lifelong physical activity / Una mirada a la discapacidad visual y la práctica de actividad física a lo largo de la vida

O presente estudo teve como objetivo relatar e enfocar a história de vida de uma deficiente visual congênita com sessenta e quatro anos, nascida no Norte de Portugal. Foi aplicada uma entrevista, com os dados sendo transcritos e analisados em categorias para reflexão sobre suas experiências: sensório-motoras, quedas, e lesões traumáticas durante a vida, dificuldades de orientação e mobilidade e a prática de atividade física. Os resultados sugerem a importância da realização de atividades adaptadas, de forma que um indivíduo seja capaz de obter êxito, estimulando sua progressão e autonomia ao longo da vida.

This study aimed to report the life story of a congenital blind sixty-four, born in northern Portugal. An interview was applied, the data were transcribed and analyzed in categories for reflection: sensorimotor experiences, falls and traumatic injuries throughout life, difficulties in orientation and mobility and physical activity. The results suggest the importance of conducting activities adapted so that the individual is able to succeed stimulating progression and autonomy throughout life.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo informar y se centran en la historia de vida de un ciego congénito sesenta y cuatro años, nacido en el norte de Portugal. Se aplicó una entrevista, los datos fueron transcritas y analizadas en categorías para la reflexión: experiencias sensoriomotoras, las caídas y las lesiones traumáticas a lo largo de la vida, las dificultades en la orientación y la movilidad y la actividad física. Los resultados sugieren la importancia de realizar actividades adaptadas para que el individuo es capaz de tener éxito estimulando la progresión y la autonomía durante toda la vida.

Avaliação do controle postural e habilidades funcionais de crianças e adolescentes com deficiência visual após a aplicação de um programa de orientação e mobilidade / Postural control and functional skills evaluation in children and teenagers with visual impairment of a orientation and mobility programm

Introdução: a deficiência visual (DV) é definida como comprometimento que prejudica o funcionamento da visão podendo causar sua ausência ou diminuição. O impacto da ausência ou diminuição da visão pode alterar as experiências de vida das crianças, que são importantes para o seu desenvolvimento funcional. Objetivo: avaliar o equilíbrio e as habilidades funcionais de indivíduos com DV antes e após um treinamento de Orientação e Mobilidade (OM). Métodos: o estudo incluiu quatro indivíduos (I1, I2, I3 e I4), de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 5 e 15 anos. Foi dividido em três momentos: (Momento 1): Avaliação dos indivíduos (aplicação de 2 escalas): (A).Escala de Equilíbrio Pediátrica (EEP), (B). Inventário de Avaliação Pediátrica de Incapacidade (PEDI); (Momento 2): Treinamento de OM e (Momento 3): Reavaliação dos indivíduos (foram reaplicadas 2 escalas). O treinamento de OM teve duração de 6 meses com protocolo de exercícios que continham os aspectos necessários para o desenvolvimento da OM: desenvolvimento das habilidades sensoriais, conceito corporal, espacial e motor que constou do reconhecimento de ambientes internos e externos. Resultados: ao comparar os resultados antes e após o programa de OM verificou-se que na EEP, os I1, I2 e I3 aumentaram a pontuação e o I4 manteve. No PEDI, todos os indivíduos aumentaram a pontuação em pelo menos uma das áreas (Auto Cuidado, Mobilidade e Função Social). Conclusão: o treino de OM em crianças e adolescentes com deficiência visual proporcionou melhoras no equilíbrio e desempenho funcional, além de ser importante na prática terapêutica e desenvolvimento das potencialidades dessas crianças.

Introduction: visual impairment (DV) is defined as impairment that hinders the functioning of vision may cause your absence or reduction. The impact of the absence or impaired vision can change the life experiences of children, which are important for their functional development. Objective: to assess balance and functional abilities of patients with DV before and after a training on orientation and mobility (OM). Methods: the study included four individuals (I1, I2, I3 and I4), of both sexes, aged between 5 and 15 years. It was divided into three stages: (Moment 1): Evaluation of individuals (application 2 ranges): (A). Escala Pediatric Balance (EEP), (B). Inventory Disability Pediatric Evaluation (ASK); (Moment 2): OM and Training (Moment 3): Reassessment of individuals (they were reapplied 2 stops). Om training lasted 6 months with exercise protocol containing the elements necessary for the development of OM: development of sensory skills, body concept, spatial and motor which comprised the recognition of internal and external environments. Results: comparing the results before and after the OM program it was found that the PEE, I1, I2 and I3 score increased and maintained I4. In Pedi, all subjects increased score at least one area (Auto Care, Mobility and Social Function). Conclusion: OM training in children and adolescents with visual impairment provided improvements in balance and functional performance as well as being important in therapeutic practice and development of the potential of these children.

Percepção da equipe de enfermagem acerca da acessibilidade física e de comunicação de pessoas com deficiência visual / Perception of nursing staff about physical accessibility and communication of people with visual impairment

Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, cujo objetivo foi de compreender a percepção da equipe de enfermagem acerca da acessibilidade física e de comunicação de pessoas com deficiência visual. Foram realizadas entrevistas gravadas, com dezoito enfermeiros e dezesseis técnicos de Enfermagem de um hospital universitário localizado no município de João Pessoa (PB) em janeiro de 2012. Os dados foram analisados qualitativamente, mediante a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Observou-se que a equipe de enfermagem tem dificuldades para se comunicar com pessoas com deficiência visual. No entanto, identificaram-se algumas estratégias utilizadas para facilitar a comunicação com esses pacientes, como linguagem não verbal, através do tato, e envolvimento do familiar. Esses profissionais também sugerem capacitação e qualificação para lidar com essas pessoas, assim como a implantação da linguagem em braille. Outro ponto relevante foi a falta de acessibilidade física para essa população no ambiente hospitalar. Espera-se que esta pesquisa possa contribuir para que as organizações educacionais incluam conteúdos referentes à assistência de pessoas com deficiência em seus currículos e que os serviços de saúde estimulem seus profissionais a participarem de capacitações e adéquem a estrutura física para que as necessidades dessa clientela sejam atendidas.

This is a descriptive study whose objective was to understand the perception of the nursing team about the physical accessibility and communication of people with visual impairment. Interviews with eighteen nurses and sixteen nursing technicians were recorded at a university hospital located in João Pessoa (PB), in January 2012. The data were analyzed qualitatively by means of content analysis. It was observed that the nursing staff has difficulty in communicating with people with visual impairments. However, some strategies used to facilitate communication with these patients were identified, as non-verbal language, through touch, and involvement of the family. These professionals also suggest training and qualification to deal with these people, as well as the implementation of language in braille. Another important point was the lack of physical accessibility for this population in the hospital. It is hoped that this research will contribute to the educational organizations include content related to assistance for people with disabilities in their curricula and health services encourage its employees to participate in training and the physical structure to be suited so that these clients' needs are met.

Qualidade de vida em adolescentes com necessidades especiais em um munício de pernambuco / Quality of life in adolescents with special needs in a city of the state of Pernambuco / Calidad de Vida de adolescentes con necesidades especiales en un municipio de Pernambuco

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) e a associação desta com variáveis demográficas de adolescentes com necessidades especiais (física, visual e auditiva). MÉTODOS: Tratou-se de um estudo descritivo, de corte transversal, com 72 adolescentes entre 10 e 19 anos, em instituições de ensino público estadual de Petrolina no estado de Pernambuco, Brasil, no período de agosto a outubro de 2012. Para avaliação da QV, foi utilizado o questionário World Health Organization Quality of Life, versão breve (WHOQOL-BREF). Para análise dos dados, foi utilizada a estatística descritiva e inferencial, aplicando-se os testes MannWhitney e Kruskal-Wallis, com p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Observou-se uma menor percepção da QV global nos deficientes físicos (57,36 ±20,67). A QV foi melhor percebida pelos deficientes visuais (65,62 ± 22,49). No tocante aos domínios, entre os deficientes físicos (60,41 ± 7,30), visuais (55,84 ± 13,34) e auditivos (55,00 ± 20,33), os menores escores apresentados foram os de relação social, respectivamente. Os escolares inseridos em sala especial e os adolescentes mais novos obtiveram uma menor percepção da QV. CONCLUSÃO: A QV foi melhor percebida pelos deficientes visuais, e os adolescentes com deficiência física apresentaram-se como o grupo mais vulnerável na percepção da QV global e nos domínios físico e meio ambiente entre os escolares investigados. O grupo mais jovem e os estudantes de sala especial perceberam sua QV inferior quando comparada com os mais velhos e os alunos de sala regular

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and its association with demographic variables of adolescents with special needs (physical, visual, and hearing impairments). METHODS: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, with 72 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years in state public educational institutions of Petrolina, in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, in the period from August to October 2012. For QOL evaluation, the World Health Organization Quality of Life, short version instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), was applied. For data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were used, applying the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, with p<0.05. RESULTS: Lower perception of global QOL was observed in those with physical disabilities (57.36 ±20.67). The QOV was best perceived by the visually impaired (65.62 ± 22.49). As regards the domains, the lowest scores were obtained in the social relationship for those with physical disabilities (60.41 ± 7.30), visual (55.84 ± 13.34), and hearing (55.00 ± 20.33) impairments. The students placed in special classes and the youngest adolescents reported lower perceived QOL. CONCLUSION: Among the assessed students, quality of life was best perceived by the visually impaired, and the adolescents with physical disabilities presented themselves as the most vulnerable group in the perception of global QOL, and in the physical and environment domains as well. The youngest group and the students of special classes room perceived their QOL to be lower compared to the perceived QOL of older students and the ones placed in general education classes

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la calidad de vida (CV) y su asociación con las variables demográficas de adolescentes con necesidades especiales (física, visual y auditiva). MÉTODOS: Se trató de un estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, con 72 adolescentes entre 10 y 19 años de instituciones de enseñanza pública del estado de Petrolina-PE entre agosto y octubre de 2012. Fue utilizado el cuestionario World Health Organization Quality of Life, versión breve (WHOQOL-bref) para la evaluación de la CV. Para el análisis de los datos fue realizada la estadística descriptiva e inferencial con la aplicación de la prueba de MannWhitney y Kruskal-Wallis, con p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Se observó baja percepción de la CV global de los deficientes físicos (57,36 ±20,67). Los deficientes visuales tuvieron mejor percepción de la CV (65,62 ± 22,49). Respecto a los dominios entre los deficientes físicos (60,41 ± 7,30), visuales (55,84 ± 13,34) y auditivos (55,00± 20,33) las menores puntuaciones fueron las de la relación social, respectivamente. Los escolares de clases especiales y los adolescentes más jóvenes presentaron baja percepción de la CV. CONCLUSIÓN: De los escolares investigados, los deficientes visuales percibieron mejor la CV y los adolescentes con deficiencia física fueron los más vulnerables en la percepción de la CV global y los dominios físicos y medio ambiente. El grupo más joven y los estudiantes de clase especial percibieron que su CV era inferior al compararse a los mayores y los alumnos de clase regular

Balance Functional Assessment in People with Visual Impairment.

The aims of this study were twofold: to assess the level of balance of people with visual impairment against the BOT-2 standard scores for the able-bodied, and to identify in which trials subjects had the greatest difficulties in maintaining balance with respect to the degree of vision loss and age categories. One hundred twenty-seven subjects with visual impairment aged 6-16 years, participated in the study (68 girls and 59 boys). The division for partially sighted people (61) and the blind (66) was made according to the WHO classification. Functional balance assessment was made using a balance subtest from the Bruininks-Oseretsky test. Significant relationships were noticed between age and the level of balance (χ2 = 8.35 p <0,05), as well as between the degree of vision loss and the level of balance (χ2 = 24.53 p <0,001). The level of balance of almost all blind subjects was below (20%) or well-below (60%) the average for the able-bodied. The subjects' ability to maintain balance was not dependent on gender and was associated primarily with the degree of visual impairment and age. Partially sighted people had better balance than the blind and the decrease in visual acuity resulted in reduction of balance skills. The lowest level of balance was observed in blind students aged 7-11 years. Elaborating physical fitness improvement programs for children and adolescents with visual impairment, diversity of age, the degree of vision loss and limitations of ablility to maintain balance should be taken into account.