Nursing knowledge production in tuberculosis control in Brazil

Abstract

Brazilian nursing has been developing research related to the production of essential and priority knowledge for public health, particularly tuberculosis (TB), considering that Brazil is one of the countries responsible for 80% of TB cases in the world. The Millennium Development Goals set targets for the control of neglected diseases. New strategies have been developed to achieve them. Brazilian nursing follows the guidelines of the Global Plan to STOP TB in research and care, in which Human Resources emerge as one of the main challenges to expand the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course) strategy. Scientific nursing production in TB has expanded its scope of analysis in the last decade (1998-2008), incorporating new actors and innovations in the health care process, such as DOTS. The theoretical reference framework is based on vulnerability, humanization and adherence/abandonment concepts. Innovations in the management of the TB health care process are also addressed, inserted in the primary health care system. Another Nursing tendency is the coordination of collaborative research projects in tuberculosis, the Brazilian Tuberculosis Research Network – (REDE TB) and the Latin-American TB Nursing Network. Research production on TB teaching in undergraduate nursing courses in Brazil is highlighted. Scientific nursing production in TB has contributed to generate new knowledge on social and political determinants, especially in understanding aspects related to the patient, the family and health services. The nursing area in TB has worked towards the construction of research competencies integrated with health practices in different scenarios, permitting advances in researchers’ qualification and knowledge production that contributes to TB care in Brazil.