Living with tuberculosis in prison: the challenge to achieve cure

Marcandra Nogueira De Almeida Santos,Antonia Margareth Moita Sá

doi:10.1590/0104-07072014000840013

Abstract

The objective of this study was to better understand the meaning, for the person deprived of freedom, of living in prison with tuberculosis and its treatment. The research was conducted using the phenomenological method of Martin Heidegger, applied to 22 interviews realized in five prisons located in the state of Pará, Brazil. The results and its hermeneutics made possible to understand that the person deprived of freedom understands their condition and transcends their facticity and difficulties to achieve the cure of the disease, living as beings of possibilities, revealing their authentic way of facing tuberculosis and its treatment in prison.

Highlights

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious and contagious disease of predominately pulmonary form,[1] whose highest incidence occurs in the suburban areas of large cities
Qualitative research based on the phenomenological method by Martin Heidegger, using the hermeneutic phenomenology for the analysis of the results
Heidegger’s hermeneutic phenomenology is the interpretation founded on understanding, which seeks to discover the meaning of the way of life of human existence, which can show up on itself and by itself as it is in its essence and in appearance.[22,23]

Summary

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious and contagious disease of predominately pulmonary form,[1] whose highest incidence occurs in the suburban areas of large cities It is mainly associated with poor living conditions in areas with high population densities, few infrastructural services, nonexistent or inadequate sanitation, closed, dark and poorly ventilated environments, characteristics that are common to prisons in Brazil and around the world.[2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Among the key actions for tuberculosis control is the provision of appropriate treatment for a minimum of six months, with emphasis on strengthening bonds; on sharing responsibilities between people with the disease and professionals; and on the Directly Observed Treatment strategy, for the delivery of quality care, which enables the healing of the disease, but the interruption of its transmission in the community.[2,10,11,12,13,14]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion