Sociodemographic and economic characteristics of nurses associated with patient advocacy

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/ce.v30i0.96422pt

Keywords:

Nurses, Nurse's Role, Patient Advocacy, Socioeconomic Factors, Right to Health

Abstract

Objective: Identify the association between the sociodemographic and economic characteristics of nurses and the practice of patient advocacy in a public university health complex in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Method: Quantitative, descriptive-exploratory. Data collection used a characterization questionnaire and the Protective Nursing Advocacy Scale. Period: August 2021 to July 2022, sample of 182 nurses. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.

Results: There was an association between family income of seven minimum wages or more and agreement to perform actions aimed at patient advocacy (p=0.018). However, there was no statistically significant difference in relation to barriers to practicing law, such as retaliation by employers or stigmatization as "troublemakers" (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The factors studied affect the safety and performance of nurses when defending patients. Patient advocacy reinforces the ethical nature of professional practice and the defense of the Unified Health System.

Author Biographies

Bruno Soares de Lima, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Nurse. Family Health Residency. State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Maria Helena do Nascimento Souza, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Nurse. Postdoctoral degree in Nursing. Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Norma Valéria Dantas de Oliveira Souza, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Retired Full Professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Samira Silva Santos Soares, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Professor at the State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.

Patrícia Lima Pereira Peres, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Nurse. PhD in Health Sciences. Professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Eloá Carneiro Carvalho, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Nurse and Lawyer. PhD in Nursing. Retired professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

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Published

2025-10-23

How to Cite

de Lima, B. S., Souza, M. H. do N., Souza, N. V. D. de O., Soares, S. S. S., Peres, P. L. P., & Carvalho, E. C. (2025). Sociodemographic and economic characteristics of nurses associated with patient advocacy. Cogitare Enfermagem, 30. https://doi.org/10.1590/ce.v30i0.96422pt

Issue

Vol. 30 (2025)

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Copyright (c) 2025 Bruno Soares de Lima, Maria Helena do Nascimento Souza, Norma Valéria Dantas de Oliveira Souza, Samira Silva Santos Soares, Patrícia Lima Pereira Peres, Eloá Carneiro Carvalho

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