Percepção de profissionais da saúde sobre métodos para melhora da umidade do ar.

Abstract

Introduction: Climate change is a natural phenomenon that occurs on the planet as it ages. However, since the 19th century, human activities have been one of the engines accelerating these changes. Regarding Brazil, the different climatic dynamics of the tropical climate deserve to be highlighted, which is directly influenced by these changes, predominant in the national territory and is made up of only two major seasons throughout the year, one of which is hot and rainy and the other cold and dry with a factor varying greatly between the two: air humidity. Climate change, which reduces air humidity, has direct impacts on humans through different pathways, such as the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ideal level of relative humidity is between 80% and 60%, while in Brazil there are recorded cases of humidity at 8%. Given the impact felt, the population uses some methods to try to improve air humidity, during the dry period, in our region, from May to September. However, studies have already shown that not all of these methods meet their objectives, which contraindicates the use of some of them. Given the various risks that low humidity poses to human health, it is undeniable that its study and understanding is of great importance to the academic medical community, responsible for guiding the population to mitigate its effects. Methods: cross-sectional analytical descriptive study with a qualitative approach, based on data collection through a form developed through the Microsoft Forms platform and sent virtually according to the method chosen by the researchers. Statistical analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel and the questionnaire construction platform itself. The project was submitted and approved by the PUC-GOIÁS Research Ethics Committee. Objectives: To evaluate the perception of healthcare professionals about methods for improving air humidity and the recommendations of this class for their patients. Results: In total, 175 doctors answered the questionnaire about methods to improve air humidity. The majority of professionals who responded were from the Central-West region (70%) and specialized in Allergy and Immunology (38%). Furthermore, a large proportion believe that the popularly known measures (humidifier, wet towel, bucket of water and air cooler) are all effective, which contradicts existing literature, as only the humidifier and towel have evidence. Among the methods studied, the humidifier is most recommended, but most doctors do not advise their patients on how to use the method, damaging its ability to increase humidity.