The knowledge of the Municipal Guard of Curitiba about the Brazilian Sign Language (Libras), deafness and deaf people

INTRODUCTION

In Brazil, there is a considerable number of deaf people, sign language users, who should have access to equal opportunities. However, sign language is unknown by the most Brazilian population, especially those who work in public institutions, and deny the deaf their rights to equality. Therefore, several professionals, among them, the municipal guards, are not prepared for the diversity.

PURPOSE

to investigate the knowledge of the Municipal Guards (MG) from Curitiba about the deaf, Brazilian Sign Language (Libras),and their service practices when they need to interact with deaf citizens.

METHOD

It´s a mixed crosscut study; data were collected by the application of a semi-structured questionnaire answered by 50 municipal guards, with questions on their knowledge about the deaf, the sign language and the service practices conducted by their corporation towards deaf people. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively by means of Bardin's Content Analysis.

RESULTS

The results demonstrate that participants have a limited knowledge of deafness and Libras.

CONCLUSION

Most members of the Municipal Guard have a view of deaf people and the Brazilian Sign Language based on an organic perspective of deafness, and it was also observed that during their service practices towards deaf people, many of them could not either interact or communicate with them.

Acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds in tracheostomized patients affected by traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT Purpose: to demonstrate the feasibility of using the acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds as a combined method in the clinical assessment of tracheostomized patients affected by traumatic brain injury. Methods: an observational, cross-sectional study. A total of 10 adult patients, in the mean age of 43.6 years, participated. They were hospitalized in wards, semi-intensive, or intensive care units, from May to July 2016. The inclusion criterion involved being affected by traumatic brain injury, confirmed with a CT scan. The Speech Therapy Tracheal Decannulation Protocol was used in the clinical assessment, as well as the cervical auscultation with the Doppler sonar. Fisher’s test was used, resulting in no significant relationship (p > 0.05) between the variables analyzed in the two consistencies and decannulation. Results: the presence of an acoustic signal of laryngeal elevation was observed, as well as noise between the swallowings, and acoustic signal suggestive of residue in 50% of the patients for the consistencies tested. When the peak frequency, mean wave time, presence of residue in between swallowings, and acoustic signal suggestive of residues were correlated with decannulation (Table 5), no significant correlation was verified (p > 0.05) between the variables analyzed in the two consistencies and the decannulation. Conclusion: the study suggests that it is feasible to use the Doppler sonar as a combined method in the clinical assessment of dysphagia for the decannulation of patients affected by traumatic brain injury.

Attention to oropharingeal dysfunction in home care: speech therapy management. Appearance and content validation study of a guidance manual

ABSTRACT Purpose: to validate as to appearance and content, the "guidance manual for adult patients with dysphagia in home care speech therapy". Methods: a qualitative and quantitative study, divided into three stages; first, the pilot material was constructed; second, 8 expert judges, with a master or doctorate degree, were chosen to assess the manual through a questionnaire; and third, 8 caregiver judges of home care patients were chosen to represent the study population. Results: Pearson's linear correlation was used in the analysis of the judges' answers, considering the responses with a correlation greater than 0,6 which is a parameter that indicates a strong linear correlation. Conclusion: the results found, after the judges' evaluation, showed a strong correlation between the questions regarding the content of the manual and suggesting appearance and content validity.