Perception of homeless people about the treatment of tuberculosis

Objective: To understand homeless people’s perception in relation to the treatment of tuberculosis. Methods: A qualitative study based on thematic oral history. Twenty-four homeless individuals from the city of São Paulo undergoing treatment for tuberculosis and linked to two Basic Health Units were interviewed from June to July 2018. Results: Three categories emerged: Homelessness as a challenge to coping with tuberculosis; The impact of treatment on users’ lives; and The potential and limits of health services in supporting the tuberculosis treatment. The participants highlighted that the fact of living on the streets exerts impacts on their treatment, as isolation and monitoring measures are less effective. On the other hand, the possibility of cure and the relationship established with health professionals were fundamental for adherence to the treatment. Final considerations: Tuberculosis in the street population must be understood from the perspective of the social determination of the health-disease process. Added to the challenges inherent to the treatment of tuberculosis, life conditions on the street, as well as individual, collective and programmatic vulnerabilities of the services and public policies need to be considered in the care strategies.