Transformações do cotidiano familiar da mulher cuidadora de pacientes com acidente vascular encefálico na cidade de Salvador, Bahia

Abstract

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a neurological disorder that afflicts several regions of the encephalon and, depending on the size and extent of the lesion, may bring temporary or irreversible damage. Its main effect is hemiplegia. This disorder can bring a remarkable transformation in one’s daily life, ranging from issues related to their home environment to socioeconomic ones. This research aims to analyze the transformations generated in the everyday family lives of informal caregivers who take care of patients with CVA sequel, from the point of view of women, and discuss the ruptures that extend to their everyday family lives and their interface with society and the State. The research instrument was a semi-structured interview script, containing 44 issues referring to general data (8), socioeconomic (15), care, information on health and family (21). The research has been approved by the REC, Research ethics committee and conforms to the criteria of ethics in research with human beings, with signed informed consents and ensured confidentiality of information. The interviews were analyzed according to the model proposed by Minayo (2010). The study was conducted at the Instituto Baiano de Reabilitação with 15 women selected according to the following criteria: 1) having a conjugal or parental relationship with the patients, 2) being the main caregiver of a patient who had had at least one episode of CVA and 3) was still undergoing treatment. The results concerning the participants’ profile point out: women predominantly married (n=11), middle-aged (47 years), black (n=7), with low education (n=7). They are mostly daughters (n=6), wives (n=6), mothers (n=2) or granddaughter (n=1). They have low schooling (n=9) and household income of up to three minimum wages. With respect to the patients’ clinical aspects, the most prevalent CVA was the ischemic one (n=7). It was also found that three patients (20%) had already had an episode earlier, but without sequela. The patient's health tends to bring to the main family caregiver a condition of vulnerability to physical and psychological illnesses, such as stress and anxiety. The daily life transformations unfold on problems relating to subjectivity, family, society, health and political system (human rights). This shows the strong impact of the disruptive event on family life with costs to society and to the health and social security systems. The results, discussed based on specialized literature, pointed out the need for more information in terms of health, care and self-care guidelines.