SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Impact Assessment for Hearing Impaired Patients

摘要

COVID-19 is a systemic infectious disease caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused social, economic, political, and cultural repercussions for humanity. Although Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) has been recognized since 2002 as a legal means of communication and expression, most individuals with hearing impairment in Brazil do not have access to accurate information about SARS-CoV-2 available to them in Libras. Between July 2020 and November 2020, the impact of COVID-19 on deaf and hearing impaired individuals was assessed through a closed questionnaire, using Libras, via a digital platform. Deaf and hearing impaired individuals over 18 years of age and living in the Metropolitan Region II of Rio de Janeiro were eligible to participate. Frequencies were calculated for categorical variables. From the total questionnaires submitted, 55.5% of respondents claim to have “a lot” of knowledge regarding COVID-19, and 44.4% of those individuals indicated they gained this knowledge through social media. Additionally, the main difficulties encountered by the deaf and hearing impaired population during the pandemic were: communicating with others wearing masks, and poor access to medical care. Thus, for full physical, mental, and social well-being, the state must invest in the inclusion of this population through public health measures.