A dependência no autocuidado no seio das famílias clássicas do concelho de Lisboa

: abordagem exploratória à dimensão do fenóneno

Abstract

This study is centred in the domain of self care. The changes in the demographic profile and epidemiologist that we cross, compel in to the search of answers to the questions related with the functional capacity, dependence and autonomy. The incapacity causes greater vulnerability and dependence in self care, contributing for the reduction of well-being and the quality of life. The objectives of the developed study had passed for: a) to know the dimension of the phenomenon of the dependence in self care in the residents of classic families in the district of Lisbon; b) to characterize the dependents in self care; and, c) to evaluate the type and the level of dependence evidenced for the identified cases. The study it is enrolled in a paradigm of quantitative inquiry, of the exploratory and descriptive type. The retraction of data was based on the technique of interview, on the basis of a form and a “door to door” approach. The population in study had been the classic families of the district of Lisbon. It was use a probabilistic and stratified sample, in function of the relative weight of each parish of the municipality in the total universe of families of Lisbon. The instrument of evaluation of the type and level of dependence in self care showed, stops beyond valid, and to be highly reliable and accurate. In a sample of two a thousand and five hundred and one (2551) families whom they had accepted to answer to the form, we got reply to the preliminary inquiry of two thousand and three hundred fifty and five (2351) families. We identified one hundred and eighty and seven cases (187) that they evidenced some level of dependence in self care, according to opinion of the respondents, what it allows to affirm that the percentage of families of Lisbon who integrate dependents in its of 7,95%. Of the 187 identified cases, 121 had accepted to participate in the specific evaluation of the type and level of dependence. The evaluated dependents are, in its majority, aged women and elderly. How to the form of installation of the dependence it was verified that, in the majority of the cases, was settled gradualy. On average, the dependents are in this condition for about 8 years. Having in consideration the global level of dependence, we verified that 82.6% of the dependents need aid of third and 7.4% of the evaluated cases are total dependents, what allows them to affirm that the level of global dependence is very intense. These data confirm the new challenges that impose for the system of health, the Nursing and the society. The requirements in the quality in the cares of health, will have to enclose the promotion of the preservation processes and promotion of the autonomy of the customers, as well as attending the families to take account of “its” dependents

Date of Award	2011
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Filipe Pereira (Supervisor) & Andreia Silva (Co-Supervisor)