Abstract

MUNOZ SANCHEZ, ALBA IDALY  and  BERTOLOZZI, MARÍA RITA. Perception of health workers of basic health units of São Paulo (Brazil) on tuberculosis. av.enferm. [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.2, pp.19-24. ISSN 0121-4500.

Objective: Identify the perceptions on tuberculosis held by health workers in a region of the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: the study was conducted on the hermeneutic-dialectic theoretical reference and the research ethical precepts were met. The professional categories that formed the sample were doctors, nurses and nursing assistants. Data were gathered through interviews to workers after reading and acceptance of an informed authorization. 15 semi-structured interviews of health workers were analyzed during the period October-December 2004. Results: perceptions loaded with prejudices were identified in relation to the disease and its carriers, which may affect its early detection. The perceptions evidenced, as disease causes, explanations that are predominantly oriented towards the multi-coincidence; resistance and fear of interviewed workers to be infected with the disease. Conclusions: perceptions about the disease may condition the care practices of the sick person, as well as control and adhesion to treatment. In addition, these perceptions marked with stigmas may affect early detection and perpetuation of the prejudice in relation to tuberculosis.

Keywords : Tuberculosis; perception; Qualitative Research.

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