Disability and its attention by health personnel in a third level hospital in Honduras

Abstract

Background: In hospitalizations, 25% may require rehabilitation and in Honduras disability in hospitals has not been considered. Objective: To determine the proportion of disability in hospitalized patients and Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) of health personnel towards disability/rehabilitation, Hospital Escuela, August 2016. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study, in hospitalized patients older than 18 years of age applying World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) questionnaire to identify disability. A questionnaire was applied to the health personnel to identify rehabilitation KAP in people with disabilities. Univariate analysis was performed, written informed consent was obtained. Results: From 235 patients, 86.8% (204) had disability. From these, 68.1% (139) age 18-59 years, 53.4% (109) female, 57.8% (118) moderate-complete disability. Only 5.4% (11) were consulted with the Rehabilitation Service after one week of admission. From 114 health personnel participants, 50.9% (58) had poor knowledge, professional nurses 60.9% (14) and nursing assistants 75.0% (30); Attitudes were positive except recognizing non-comprehensive management in patients 50.9% (58), specialist physicians 30.4% (7) and 32.1% (9) resident physicians. From 9 practices evaluated, 4 were less performed: anti-equine posture, release of bony prominences 39.5% (45) respectively; oral cavity management 50.0% (57) and sitting in bed 50.9% (58), less performed by resident physicians 54.6% and nursing assistants 58.5%. Discussion: There is a high proportion of disability with poor response possibly derived from poor knowledge and low performance of good practices in rehabilitation. Health personnel should be trained to recognize disability and improve teamwork with the Rehabilitation Service.