[The hearing impaired communicate through sign language: the complexity of gaining access to healthcare services]

The aim of the present study was to analyze access to healthcare among deaf individuals who communicate through Brazilian Sign Language (Libras, acronym in Portuguese) 18 years of age or older residing in the Metropolitan Region of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil, comparing public and private healthcare systems. A descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted. The data collection instrument was an online form accessible in sign language. Statistical analysis involved contingency and frequency tables, georeferencing, and logistic regression. Among the 316 participants, most considered communication with health professionals to be poor in both the public (64.3%) and private (67.6%) systems. The likelihood of effective communication was only 40.47% in the best-case scenario (patients in public healthcare with a positive self-assessment of their health status). Hearing impaired individuals who use Libras and only use the public healthcare system were 22% more likely to have effective communication with health professionals compared to those who use the private healthcare system. Both public and private health services lack linguistic and communication accessibility, mainly due to a lack of knowledge of Libras on the part of health professionals.