Epidemiological profile of users referred to speech therapy in a municipality in Rio Grande do Sul

ABSTRACT

Purpose

This research aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of users referred to speech therapy in the city of Canoas/RS.

Methods

This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional and descriptive study. The research was based on data from the Canoas/RS. Integrated Health Services Management System (SIGSS), with collection of the waiting list for speech therapy, under the control of the Municipal Regulation Board.

Results

The waiting list included 850 referrals to Speech Therapy, dating from 01/18/2018 to 08/27/2021. The highest number of referrals was from children aged 4 to 7 years, with 244 (28%), 484 male users (56.9%), 702 white (82.6%) and referred by primary care (totaling 76, two%). The waiting time on the regulation list averaged 17.89 months (one year and six months) and varied with 186 users waiting between 7-12 months (21.8%), 168 users waiting between 0.6 months (19.7%) and 167 users waiting between 25-30 months (19.6%). The main complaints were language and speech (60.2%).

Conclusion

According to the data found, there was a damming of the demand for speech therapy care by the SUS in Canoas/RS., with low turnover and long waiting time for the rehabilitation of users, mostly children. This study is expected to help in the identification of this demand, and thus, enable the creation of public policies of habilitation or rehabilitation in the municipality and improve the population's access to specialized care.

Keywords:
Speech Therapy; Human Communication Disorders; Epidemiology; Public health; Primary Health Care