The way of life of the unhoused people as an enhance for COVID-19 care

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the way of life of the unhoused people to enhance health care in the pandemic. Methods: A qualitative, interdisciplinary research, with participant observation and 24 interviews with the unhoused people. Empirical categories and bibliographic search on this population and COVID-19 guided simple actions aimed at care. Results: The group at greatest risk for COVID-19 use drugs compulsively; starves constantly; discontinues drug treatment for tuberculosis, HIV, and diabetes; has underdiagnosis of Depression; has difficulty sheltering and uses inhaled drugs. This way of life increases the risk of worsening COVID-19 and brings great challenges to health services. Several proposals to guide care considered these results and the new routine caused by the pandemic. Final considerations: The way of life of the studied population increased their vulnerability in the pandemic, as well as the perception of risk of disease transmission by the population in general.

Keywords

• Homeless Persons
• Coronavirus Infections
• Social Vulnerability
• Primary Health Care; Life Style