An integrative review: public policies in healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities in Brazil

• Grant number: 12/16681-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2012
• End date: October 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Débora Gusmão Melo
• Grantee: Rodrigo Victor Viana Tomaz
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Intellectual disability (ID) is the result of intellectual functioning significantly below average, which appears before age 18 and is accompanied by limitations in adaptive functioning. In Brazil, according to the 2010 Census, 1.4% of the population has some degree of ID. From a clinical standpoint, ID is a symptom of over 2,000 different conditions, including many rare genetic diseases. Due to the complexity involved in the comprehensive health care of the individual with ID, interdisciplinary teamwork is essential for effective treatment, which should include measures regarding health promotion, prevention, and rehabilitation. Some laws have been created with the aim of promoting the citizenship of the individual with ID; important milestones are: (1) the "National Policy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities", 1993 and (2) the "National Health Policy of Persons with Disabilities ", 2002. However, the existence of such policies does not ensure that intellectually disabled persons are protected. In this project, we propose an integrative review on "public policy in health care for people with ID in Brazil" based on scientific productions and documentary surveys. The research will be done in 4 databases from descriptors in Portuguese and English; the selected texts will be analyzed and synthesized, and from the questioning, will produce a document reflecting the state of the art problem in Brazil. Ultimately we intend to contribute to the synthesis of scientific knowledge and identify knowledge gaps, concerning which further studies are needed and/or new methodological approaches.(AU)