Body image of people with venous ulcers

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess body image in people with venous ulcers. METHODS: Descriptive study conducted at the Wound Ambulatory located in the city of Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais. Thirty people with venous ulcers participated in the study. Two instruments were used: a questionnaire for collecting sociodemographic and clinical data and the Body Investment Scale (BIS). RESULTS: Among the 30 participants, 16 (53.3%) were female and 14 (46.7%) male, 25 (83.3%) were over 60 years old and 20 (66.7%) were married. The average of the total score on the BIS scale was 34.0; and the mean scores for the body image, personal care, body protection and body touch domains were 16.30, 23.93, 5.53 and 18.30. Such findings characterizing that these individuals have a negative image. Patients with venous ulcers showed changes in the body image, body protection and body touch domains. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that individuals with venous ulcers had alterations in the domains of body image, body protection and body touch, that is, they manifested negative feelings about their body.