Architectonic barriers and handicapped subjects: An epidemiological study of the physical structure of health service units in seven Brazilian states

 Many are the Brazilians who present limitations to keep independence and to exert the citizenship freely. Approximately one quarter of the population of Brazil is elderly, or present restrictions to move with independence due to the urban barriers and constructions. This study describes the conditions of the basic health units (UBS) in relation to architectural barriers. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 41 cities of seven states of Brazil. A random sample of 240 UBS with different modalities of basic attention was selected. The drawing of the UBS was proportional to the size of the public health system of each city. A standardized questionnaire was used and questions on architectural barriers had been answered by UBS workers. Approximately 60% of the UBS were classified as inadequate in relation to the access for subjects with disabilities. The presence of steps, the lack of railings, the inexistence of slopes, the lack of bathrooms adapted for the users of wheelchairs, and the inadequate waiting rooms were prevalent in the UBS studied. Many architectural barriers make it difficult the access to the health services. With the population aging, and consequent increased need of UBS’s by the elderly, it becomes urgent an institutional intervention in the direction of promoting improvements in the structure of the UBS for the attendance to this important demand.