Nursing care needs for users of the psychosocial care centers

Abstract

Objective: To assess the nursing care needs of users of the Psychosocial Care Centers; compare demographic and clinical variables between care categories; and, investigate the predictive factors for nursing care needs. Methods: Descriptive-exploratory study with a quantitative approach carried out in three Psychosocial Care Centers in a city in the interior of the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Five nurses assessed intensive care users by applying the Patient Classifi cation Instrument of the Dependency Level in Psychia tric Nursing. The statistical analysis, with a signifi cance level of 5% (p≤0.05), consisted of measures of central tendency, association tests and logistic regression. The statistical analysis, with a signifi cance level of 5% (p≤0.05), consisted of measures of central tendency, association tests and logistic regression. Results: In the 249 assessments carried out, there were 145 (58.2%) users in the discrete care category and 103 (41.4%) in the intermediate category. The age group, the number and type of diagnoses were associated with the categories of care: Higher frequency of the discrete in 30-39 years, two/three diagnoses and disorders related to substance use; and intermediate/full in 40-49 years, a diagnosis and psychotic disorders. Being a user of the Psychosocial Care Centers II and III, and male, were predictive factors for greater need for nursing care. Conclusion: There was a predominance of users in the discrete category and an association between the categories of care with age group, number and type of diagnoses. The risk factors for greater need for nursing care were related to users of the Psychosocial Care Centers II and III and male.