O cotidiano e a condição laboral de sujeitos acometidos por lesão encefálica adquirida

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the conditions of life/health and labor of individuals with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), in working age and residing in Santa Maria/RS, as well as the quality of life of these individuals and their families/caregivers. Materials and Methods: This study has a descriptive nature and qualitative and quantitative approach. Data were collected between June and December 2014, using a semi-structured interview, from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life - WHOQOL - BREF. The statistical analysis was performed descriptively and by the tests – Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient and Non-Parametric Mann-Whitney U test, using the Software Statistica 9.1 (significance level of 5% [p <0.05]). Results: 48 subjects with ABI-age and 27 relatives/caregivers have participated of this study. The results are presented and discussed in two papers – the first – Characterization of individuals in working age with Acquired Brain Injury assisted in public/philanthropic services of rehabilitation programs in a city of Rio Grande do Sul – whose goal was to characterize the sociodemographic and health conditions (including neurological injuries) of subjects with ABI-age, and even their previous and current labor conditions. The incidence among males (52.1%) and females (47.9%) was balanced; the average age at the time of injury was 48.7 years. Concerning neurological impairments, 41.1% were affected by Ischemic Stroke (52.1% by aphasia and 52.2% by right-sided hemiplegia). After the ABI, 47.9% were retired; only 6.3% went back to work; 93.7% would like to return to work. The second paper – Acquired Brain Injury: impacts on labor activity and on quality of life of individuals in working age and their relatives – aimed to correlate the impact of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) in labor activity of individuals of working age to their quality of life (QOL) and their families. The correlation of the ICF with the WHOQOL-Bref evidences that changes in Mental Functions and Heart Functions significantly interfere in the QOL of individuals with ABI. Concerning relatives/caregivers (77.7% women, with a mean age of 52.6 years), we also found significant change in the four domains of QOL. Conclusion: the emergence of ABI has disorganized the affected individuals and their families, negatively impacting on QOL, requiring action to face it by all individuals involved.