ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Individuals living with hepatitis C experience a series of changes in their lives, caused by either the disease itself or its treatment or both. In this sense, living with a chronic disease such as hepatitis C implies that patients must change their lifestyles, which requires that they rethink their habits in light of the new reality. To comprehend chronic hepatitis C patients' perceptions, meanings, and quality-of-life effects. METHODOLOGY: Qualitative research; interviews with 12 patients at a specialized outpatient clinic from February to July 2012. The cohort size was determined by theoretical saturation and the interviews were analyzed by means of content analysis. RESULTS: Data were organized into four categories: on medication, referenced fears, impact on sexuality, and coping with the new reality. The categorized data were discussed around the following themes: "Becoming sick" due to treatment and perceived aspects and Undergoing treatment and how to cope with it. CONCLUSION: Patients' everyday lives and quality of life in general are affected especially by adverse side effects of hepatitis C medication and an assortment of feelings and uncertainties about the disease prognosis. Notwithstanding, most patients manage to find ways to cope with the treatment and complete it expecting a satisfactory outcome.
ABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Caracterizar o perfil de pacientes com tuberculose (TB) e identificar o fluxograma de atendimento e a opinião dos profissionais responsáveis pelo Programa de Controle da Tuberculose de municípios do Departamento da Regional de Saúde III do Estado de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo de abordagem quantitativa abrangendo 122 notificações identificadas no Sistema de Controle de Pacientes com Tuberculose, de 2007/2008, e seis entrevistas com enfermeiros responsáveis por esse Programa, na região. RESULTADO: Das 122 notificações identificadas, 69 por cento eram de homens, 35 por cento desempregados, 25 por cento etilistas e 86 por cento com TB pulmonar. As ações de controle eram centralizadas, e os enfermeiros eram os responsáveis pelos programas da região. Estes profissionais apontaram como pontos favoráveis o envolvimento da equipe e a facilidade em solicitar exames. Como desfavoráveis, a falta de equipamentos e de profissionais e demora na realização de exames. CONCLUSÃO: A região apresenta o perfil típico para TB, incluindo aspectos de fragilidade social, ações de controle centralizadas, e os responsáveis não reconhecem a centralização das ações e a falta de autonomia das unidades como fragilidades do programa.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the profile of patients with tuberculosis (TB) and identify the service flowchart, and the opinion of professionals responsible for the Tuberculosis Control Program of municipalities in the Regional Health Department III of the State of São Paulo. METHODS: A descriptive study of quantitative approach covering 122 notifications identified in the Control System of Patients with Tuberculosis, 2007/2008, and six interviews with nurses responsible for this program in the region. RESULTS: Of 122 notifications identified, 69 percent were men, 35 percent were unemployed, 25 percent were alcoholics and 86 percent had pulmonary TB. The control activities were centralized, and the nurses were responsible for programs in the region. These professionals identified favorable points of team involvement and ease in requesting examinations. Unfavorable points included the lack of equipment and professionals, and the delays in obtaining exams. CONCLUSION: The region has the typical profile for TB, including aspects of social fragility, centralized control actions, and those in charge do not recognize the centralization of the actions, and the lack of autonomy of the units or weaknesses of the program.
OBJETIVO: Caracterizar el perfil de pacientes con tuberculosis (TB) e identificar el fluxograma de atención y la opinión de los profesionales responsables del Programa de Control de Tuberculosis de municipios del Departamento de la Región de Salud III del Estado de Sao Paulo. MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo con abordaje cuantitativo que abarcó 122 notificaciones identificadas en el Sistema de Control de Pacientes con Tuberculosis, del 2007/2008, y seis entrevistas a enfermeros responsables de ese Programa, en la región. RESULTADO: De las 122 notificaciones identificadas, el 69 por ciento eran de hombres, el 35 por ciento de desempleados, el 25 por ciento de etílicos y el 86 por ciento de personas con TB pulmonar. Las acciones de control estaban centralizadas, y los enfermeros eran los responsables de los programas de la región. Estos profesionales señalaron como puntos favorables el involucramiento del equipo y la facilidad para solicitar exámenes. Como desfavorables, la falta de equipamentos y de profesionales, demora en la realización de los exámenes. CONCLUSIÓN: La región presenta el perfil típico para la TB, incluyendo aspectos de fragilidad social, acciones de control centralizadas, y los responsables no reconocen la centralización de las acciones y la falta de autonomía de las unidades como fragilidad del programa.