Abstract

ABSTRACTPurpose:to present the opinion of professionals about street dwellers undergoing treatment of tuberculosis and identify strategies of control of tuberculosis in this population. Method:an exploratory and descriptive study involving 17 health professionals working in street clinics. A semi-structured study composed of closed questions and a guiding question. The statements were analyzed using the discourse analysis technique, resulting in the identification of two analytical categories: 1. Meanings attributed to street dwellers with tuberculosis, and 2. Control of tuberculosis in homeless people. Results:the analysis identified situations that limited adherence to tuberculosis treatment, including the reasons for staying in the streets, living conditions, and risk factors (dependence on alcohol and other drugs, short-sightedness, constant relocations, and lack of perspectives). Street dwellers were knowledgeable about the disease. Furthermore, there were difficulties in solving several problems of people living in the streets, including living conditions and lifestyle, social stigma, relocations, drug abuse, and lack of life project. Conclusion:coping with the complexity of situations related to living in the streets limits to the work of health professionals because these situations go beyond health care and require intersectoral actions.

Highlights

  • MethodsStreet people belong to a social group that makes temporary or permanent use of public places as living spaces

  • In view of the specificities and challenges for controlling TB in street dwellers, the objective of this study is to present the opinions of health professionals about homeless people undergoing TB treatment and identify strategies for disease control in this group

  • The analysis of the two analytical categories allowed understanding the opinion of health professionals working in street clinics about street dwellers and the strategies for managing TB in this social group

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Summary

Introduction

Street people belong to a social group that makes temporary or permanent use of public places as living spaces. These people are socially excluded, cannot satisfy basic needs, and live in the line of indigence or absolute poverty(1). The living conditions and social exclusion of this group increase its vulnerability, especially regarding the health-disease process. For this reason, in 2011, the Ministry of Health defined guidelines for the organization, operation, and training of street clinic teams to thoroughly meet the unique needs of this population(3)

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