title: Understanding the experiences of caregivers of children with tuberculosis in directly observed therapy.
abstract: Objective To understand the situations and communications experienced by caregivers of children with tuberculosis (TB) with regard to directly observed therapy (DOT). Method A descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach was applied and developed in the ambulatory of Programa Einstein na Comunidade de Paraisópolis (PECP). The data were collected using semi-structured interviews of 13 caregivers of children with TB in DOT. The Collective Subject Discourse (CSD) method was used to analyze the data. Results Seven CSDs were identified and grouped into four categories: "Living in a difficult situation", "Changing the family routine", "Responsibility almost always fall son the mother", and "Adapting to the DOT". Conclusions The difficulties faced by the caregiver of the child at the beginning of DOT significantly changed the familiar routine. The responsibility for its continuity was assigned to the mother, who must adapt to the demands of the treatment and face the situation.
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital, Oncology Unit, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thatiana de Medeiros Vale da
authors.initials: Tde M
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Clinic of the Paraisópolis Community Einstein Project, Jewish School of Health Sciences Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Áurea Dos
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital, School of Health Sciences, Pediatric and Neonatal Nursing, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabiane de Amorim
authors.initials: Fde A
authors.lastname: Almeida