Itinerario terapeutico de criancas com microcefalia pelo virus Zika/Therapeutic itinerary of children with microcephaly due to the Zika virus

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva 2021-06, Vol.26 (6), p.2271
• Main Authors: Bosaipo, Daniela Santos, Lamy, Zeni Carvalho, de Oliveira, Poliana Soares, Gomes, Clarice Maria Ribeiro de Paula, Assis, Milena Ribeiro Mendes de, Ribeiro, Marizelia Rodrigues Costa, Alves, Maria Teresa Seabra Soares de Britto e
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• ISSN: 1413-8123
• DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232021266.19152019

In 2015, there was an epidemic of microcephaly in Brazil that was associated with infection by the Zika virus. The condition of these children obliged the parents to embark on a quest in search of treatment. The scope of this study was to establish the therapeutic itinerary pursued in healthcare sectors by parents and/or caregivers of children with microcephaly due to the Zika virus. It involved qualitative research, conducted at a Center of Reference on Neurodevelopment between April 2017 and February 2018, with parents and/or caregivers of children with microcephaly caused by the Zika virus. The sample complied with the criteria of saturation. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed, and content analysis was applied. The results revealed disorientation and uncertainties in the search for care in the health sector. The most sought-after sector was the professional sector, followed by the informal sector. The information conveyed in the media and social networks, which constitute part of the informal sector, helped to clarify the significance of microcephaly and the Zika virus and assisted in the search for treatment. Care in the healthcare network was marked by difficulties and, faced with a new and emergency situation, the route between diagnosis and treatment was arduous. Key words Zika virus, Microcephaly, Therapeutic itinerary Em 2015, no Brasil, houve uma epidemia de microcefalia que foi associada a infecgao pelo virus Zika. A condigao destas criangas impulsionou os pais a percorrerem um caminho em busca por tratamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer o itinerario terapeutico percorrido por pais e/ou cuidadores de criangas com microcefalia pelo virus Zika nos setores de atengao a saude. Pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, realizada em um Centro de Referencia em Neurodesenvolvimento, no periodo de abril de 2017 a fevereiro de 2018, com pais e/ou cuidadores de criangas com microcefalia pelo virus Zika. A amostra obedeceu aos criterios de saturagao de sentidos. Foram feitas 20 entrevistas semiestruturadas, gravadas e transcritas. Realizou-se analise de conteudo, na modalidade tematica. Os resultados demostraram desorientagao e incertezas na busca pelo cuidado nos setores de saude. O setor mais procurado foi o profissional, seguido pelo informal e popular. As informagoes veiculadas na midia e redes sociais, que fazem parte do setor informal, contribuiram para esclarecer o significado da microcefalia e virus Zika e