Health services in tuberculosis control: family focus and community orientation.
This study aimed to assess, according to patients' perception, the performance of the Health Services responsible for tuberculosis (TB) control, concerning the dimensions family focus and community orientation. A cross-sectional evaluative research was carried out with 108 TB patients. A questionnaire developed by Starfield and Macinko was used, adapted for TB care by Villa and Ruffino-Netto. Results evidence, in the first dimension, that health professionals (HP) are concerned with patients' signs and symptoms; and, at a lower level, with other health problems of relatives, endangering the comprehensive healthcare. In the second dimension, HP show little concern with the active search of cases, deficiency in HP training, and low rates of examined contacts. Results show the need to broaden HP's epidemiological view, as their attention is focused on patients, with few preventive actions concerning family/community. This evidences the need for a closer relationship among HP/patients/family/community.
Oliveira
Sônia Aparecida da Cruz
SA
Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, da Universidade de São Paulo, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Brazil. soniaoliveira@usp.br
Ruffino Netto
Antonio
A
Villa
Tereza Cristina Scatena
TC
Vendramini
Silvia Helena Figueiredo
SH
Andrade
Rubia Laine de Paula
RL
Scatena
Lúcia Marina
LM
D019058:Community Networks; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control*