OBJECTIVES: to assess incapacities and determine whether there are gender differences following an initial episode of cerebrovascular accident among survivors between the ages of 20 and 59 years old living in Recife city, hospitalized in the public health system. METHODS: in-home survey performed with a sample of survivors, investigating incapacities and alterations in the functional and productive life of these individuals. RESULTS: the sample had a balanced proportion between genders and an average age of 52 years old. Individuals were either illiterate or had an elementary education level, holding jobs in the informal or domestic service sector. Approximately 80% exhibited some incapacity. Difficulty in communication and symptoms of depression were more common among women. Functional incapacities had negative repercussions in the level of fulfillment in the lives of 70% of the interviewees. CONCLUSIONS: the percentage of cases among still young individuals that are exhibiting some type of incapacity following an early stroke episode is expressive. Strokes occur earlier and incapacities are more frequent/severe among women. Prevention and rehabilitation following a stroke are desirable with the implementation of programs that should consider gender conditions aiming at strokes' risk and incapacity control.
Cerebrovascular accident; Sex; Sistema Único de Saúde
