Tuberculosis and experiences: A look from the phenomenology

Abstract

Tuberculosis has not been eradicated in most countries; therefore, control programs must also be built on the basis of knowledge resulting from approaches such as the phenomenological and not only on the biologic and epidemiological perspective. Study of the experiences in tuberculosis erected on the phenomenological epistemic matrix. The informants were: Two patients with tuberculosis and one family member of a patient who died of tuberculosis after leaving the treatment. The interviewees belong to a family in an empty nest cycle where the inadequate living and working conditions were decisive in the acquisition of the pathology. There is also little knowledge about the disease, but good treatment of the health team. It is concluded that tuberculosis is a stressful life event and may not be accepted by the person or their family group, their perception has different repercussions depending on the knowledge about the disease and risk factors, as well as the phase of the family life cycle in which is found, acceptance of the disease, adherence to treatment, social support network, employment status, social security and health system.