Inequalities in access to healthcare faced by women who are deaf

Abstract

The Cheshire Deaf Women's Health Project undertook a research study to assess the access to healthcare of women who are deaf in Cheshire, UK. Group discussions took place with 13 women who were hard of hearing and 14 women who were Deaf Sign Language users. Questionnaires were distributed to a stratified random sample of 103 women taken from the social services register, 38 of which were returned. In order to reach more women whose first language was British Sign Language, 129 questionnaires were distributed to the leaders of various clubs and organizations for people who are deaf, and 100 of these were returned. The data revealed inequities in access to healthcare. For example, women who are deaf face a lack of awareness by health staff of how to communicate with them. The survey confirmed that these problems are of major importance to the majority of women who are deaf. For example, fewer than one in 10 deaf women said that they usually fully understand what the doctor says to them when they visit the doctor on their own. There are many other difficulties faced by women who are deaf, leading to inequalities when they are compared with hearing people. Almost half the respondents said that they would be more likely to use health services if help and/or services for deaf women were available. The introduction of various relatively simple measures would greatly help to reduce the inequalities of access to healthcare faced by deaf women. Under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, such action is essential if providers are to avoid facing possible legal action.

Acesso de pessoas deficientes auditivas a serviços de saúde em cidade do Sul do Brasil

“…Outro estudo com mulheres de diferentes tipos de deficiência auditiva confirma esses achados. Também confirma o fato de as pacientes sentirem-se envergonhadas, com medo de consultas e procedimentos em saúde, desconhecendo termos médicos e seus próprios corpos 3 . O mesmo artigo nota ainda que a maioria dos serviços de saúde, inclusive clínicas especializadas em audiologia, trabalha com um sistema de chamar em voz alta os nomes dos pacientes, o que limita o acesso destes e gera ansiedades e preocupações 3,6,8 .…”

“…No Reino Unido, o envelhecimento da população acarretará um aumento aproximado de 20% de deficientes auditivos nos próximos vinte anos. A perda auditiva é freqüentemente subdiagnosticada, especialmente nos idosos 3 .…”

“…A comunicação com deficientes auditivos é um grande obstáculo para os profissionais da saúde, prejudicando vínculo e atendimento desses pacientes 3,6 . Reconhecer a deficiência na comunicação em situação de cuidado à saúde leva os profissionais a refletirem sobre essas questões e a melhorarem os serviços 4,8 .…”

A Life Course Approach to Hearing Health

“…Recent community-based participatory research has identified some glaring health inequalities in the deaf community, notably obesity, partner violence, and suicide (Barnett et al 2012), while other studies have demonstrated inconsistent knowledge of common health issues such as cardiovascular health related to difficulties with communication during health education (McKee et al 2011). Fewer than one in ten deaf women report fully understanding what the doctor tells them when visiting the doctor's office alone (Ubido 2002).…”

Cancer Prevention Knowledge of People with Profound Hearing Loss

“…1 Deaf and hard of hearing (D&HH) persons, as a group, have lower socioeconomic status, 2 altered health-care utilization patterns, 3,4 and significant communication difficulties with health-care workers. 5,6 Some D&HH persons belong to the Deaf community, a wellrecognized ethnic minority 4,7 with its own language (American Sign Language, ASL, in the US), culture and beliefs. [8][9][10][11] ASL is a complete language with unique idioms, syntax, and grammar.…”