[Prevention for speech-hearing therapists from the University of Valle in Cali, Colombia].
BACKGROUND
Preventive activities in communication disorders treated by speech-hearing therapists of the Universidad del Valle in Cali Colombia, between January and April, 1995, are described.


METHODS
Forty-five professionals to whom a self administered questionnaire with 13 questions was applied, were included in the study.


RESULTS
For 67% the program of graduation is basic as source of their preventive knowledge. 47% used only one of nine strategic options and 29% report the use of only two of these preventive interventions. For all communication areas, on average nearly 60% of speech-hearing therapists never use preventive actions.


CONCLUSIONS
The alumni of the Universidad del Valle do not exercise the practice of prevention in a systematic way it has been claimed by the curriculum of the school. Some determinants of social context and demand of professional services are suspected to induce a great reduction in the proportion and frequency of preventive practice in the professional role.
Departmento de Prática de Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil. gucarana@usp.br
G A
GA
Cabrera
J G
JG
Carrasquila
D003105:Colombia; D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D007808:Language Therapy; D011364:Professional Practice; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce