Adherence to Tuberculosis Treatment: actions developed by Primary Health care services in Campinas - SP

The aim of this study was to analyze the actions undertaken in primary health care to promote adherence to tuberculosis treatment in the perception of patients and nursing staff in Campinas-SP. It is a descriptive epidemiological study of the survey type, which was conducted in Campinas. The study population consisted of nursing staff who accompanied cases of tuberculosis in the 12 months prior to data collection (August 2012 to May 2013) and tuberculosis patients who were undergoing treatment at the collection period Data cited or had completed treatment within 30 days, and met the inclusion criteria: aged 18 years, in treatment for three months or more, out of the prison system. It used a structured questionnaire with 16 questions with dichotomous answers (yes and no), relating the shares offered in primary health care to promote adherence to treatment of tuberculosis, which are relevant in the perception of patients and health professionals. These questions were designed based on \"Adherence to long-term therapies: evidence for action\", \"Recommendations Manual for the Control of Tuberculosis\", the series \"Best practices for the care of patients with tuberculosis,\" and previous studies addressing the most relevant aspects for membership and non- adherence to tuberculosis treatment. For data analysis were used the chi-square test to compare proportions and Fisher\'s exact test when criteria (expected values, Eij > 1, 80% of Eij ≥ 5, N ≥ 20) were not met. As for the results, they interviewed 183 professionals of the nursing staff and 165 sick with tuberculosis. The following actions have had no association between perceptions of patients and professionals: guidance on what is TB; guidance on the importance of attending monthly visits; guidance on performing tests of control; guidance on how to take the medication for TB; encouragement to continue TB treatment; orientation to seek for health services when they have doubts about the treatment; orientation to see if symptoms improve during treatment; guidance on the action to be taken if symptoms worsen; guidance on the habits of a healthier lifestyle (proper nutrition, physical exercise, avoid using alcohol and cigarettes) and invitation to join some group of TB patients. And these others actions were associated: Opportunity to opine on the treatment; Scheduling monthly visits for monitoring of tuberculosis treatment; Provide written information about treatment; Guidance for families to do tests for tuberculosis; Enough for you to talk about the questions and / or concerns time. By analyzing the perceptions of patients and health professionals, it is understood that the primary care of the Campinas municipality has offered shares to adherence to tuberculosis treatment. It is understood this as a breakthrough, however, there are still shortcomings in the promotion of autonomy of patients by health services, patient participation in treatment decisions, investigation of contacts as well as in the provision of extramural activities and aimed at a family assistance and community that could further help in treatment adherence (AU)