Hipertensão arterial em adulto: percepção da doença e interferência na qualidade de vida

Abstract

The high blood pressure disease stands out in the context of epidemic transilion. It is characterized for being a degenerative chronic disease, without symptoms. with greater exposure and susceptibility of people with deeper acute which can interfere in the quality of their lives. To find out what are the patienfs perceptions of the disease and if it interferes in their life quality, this study developed the following objectives: investigate the quality of a patienfs life using the generic instrument of evaluation MOS SF-36; associate the results of life quality obtained by MOS SF-36 with the clienfs perceptions about the treatment and gravity of high blood pressure disease. Also investigate the patienfs perception about high blood pressure and compare with the variable: sex, age group, education levei, marriage status, family status, family income, role status, number of descendents and time of treatment. This is an exploratory-descriptivc study with quantitativo approach, accomplished in a Family Health Basic Unit of Fortaleza-Ce. The data consisted a sample of 113 patients who assisted the treatment program. The data was collected through interviews, using structured and semi- structured questions. For the life quality research was used a generic instrument of evaluation, which was translated and legalized in Brazil, the SF-36 (Medicai Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey). The 113 patients interviewed showed the following standard: 77% were women, 69% were above 50 years old, 55,8% were married or living with their partners and 92,9% lived with a family member. Also 42,5% of patients did nol have a school education, 78% with one or two family incomes, 62,8% were their own housekeepers and an average of descendents between 0 and 2. The main findings revealed that comparing the social-demographic characteristics with the perception of the disease, with identify that the patienfs perception can interfere positively or negatively in their life quality. There was statistic meaning for the following variable: age group and period of treatment; low perception of the disease, mainly those above 65 years old and over 5 years of treatment. With regards to the evaluation of life quality when it is compared to the disease’s perception and the main domain of the study, the statistic analysis found significance in the domains: general health conditions, functional abilities and physical performance. Still the patients perceive the disease as heeling and without severity. In conclusion the study showed the relationship between the patienfs perceptions of the disease and their life quality. The patients consider to have a good life quality, however there is no impact in their ways of living because they believe the high blood pressure can be cured. Certainly patients are not concerned with the disease, perhaps due to its silent evolution. Altogether can interfere in their treatment and life quality. The nursing care proposed by the researcher aims to raise the awareness of the patient to prevení further serious acute and promoting health by means of group strategies based on the evaluation and interpretation ofthe patienfs perception.