Tuberculosis in the street population: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: To analyze evidence of the occurrence of tuberculosis in people living onthe streets provided by the literature. Method: Systematic review conducted in thedatabases PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO electronic library. Analysis of theempirical material was guided by Hermeneutics. The main themes which give shape tothe association between tuberculosis and street population were sought to be understood.Results: Initially, 343 articles were identified, but only seven met the eligibility criteria.The literature shows that homeless people with tuberculosis presented unfavorabletreatment outcomes when compared to the population with fixed residence. Some of theassociated reasons were abusive consumption of alcohol and other drugs and associateddiseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus and others. Conclusion: Despite theimportance of this theme, analysis of the scientific production has provided evidence ofthe need for studies aimed not only at comprehending the occurrence of disease in thisvulnerable group, but specially ways of fighting it.