Manual saúde sexual e reprodutiva : métodos anticoncepcionais comportamentais - desenvolvimento e avaliação de tecnologia assistiva

Abstract

Assistive technology is a range of equipment, resources, services, methods, practices and strategies applied to minimize the difficulties disabled people are confronted with. Nursing has used technologies to assist clients in different health education and promotion contexts. The aim was to develop and assess an assistive technology with a focus on behavioral contraceptive methods for blind women. An Assistive Technology development and evaluation study was designed. Data were collected between March 2011 and April 2012. The research was accomplished at the Health Communication Laboratory of the Nursing Department at Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil. The study subjects were experts in pedagogical aspects and blind women, who completed assessment instruments. The study involved three methodological phases: development of the manual, expert evaluation and evaluation by the blind women. The research was submitted to the Research Ethics Committee and approved under number 283/11. Ethical aspects were respected in compliance with Resolution 196/96. The Manual Saúde Sexual e Reprodutiva – Métodos Anticoncepcionais Comportamentais includes text in Braille and in print, with high relief figures accompanied by description, using informal language. The experts suggested technological adjustments with a view to improving the structure, language and figures in the Manual. Two of the three experts in that phase were blind, a pertinent situation as that is the target public of the Manual. Out of 18 items in the Evaluation Instrument the experts responded, 13 were considered adequate, the respondents did not agree on two and agreed on the other three items. Changes were made in the technical terms and presentation of the Manual according to the experts’ suggestions. In the third phase, evaluation of the Manual by the blind women, these women were invited to meet at a predetermined place to read the Manual individually and answer the Evaluation Instrument. The results were analyzed based on the Evaluation Instruments the women had answered. Out of 15 items, eight were considered adequate; disagreements were found with regard to seven. The evaluations were pertinent to make the Manual more accessible and complete. On the other hand, the Manual served to support health professionals’ work during health education meetings and actions for family planning purposes. By overcoming difficulties, this study entailed considerable effects for the population, as it makes room for the development of other assistive technologies on other themes.