BackgroundDespite being curable, tuberculosis is still a stigmatized disease. Not only is TB patients’ suffering due to its clinical manifestations, but also because of society’s prejudice, embarrassing situations, and even self-discrimination. This study aims to investigate psychosocial experiences of patients who have completed tuberculosis treatment in São Carlos a municipality in the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil.MethodsThis study, of a clinical-qualitative nature, sought to understand the meanings provided by the participants themselves. Fifteen individuals, who had successfully completed tuberculosis treatment, participated in this research. The sample size was established using the information saturation criterion. Data were collected by means of interviews with in-depth open-ended questions. Data were treated by categorizing and analyzing content according to themes.ResultsRegardless of all progress, this study found that TB still causes patients to suffer from fear of transmission, social prejudice, and death. Despite the fact that the emotional support provided by families and healthcare professionals is considered essential to treatment adherence and completion, participants in this study reveal that friends and colleagues have distanced themselves from them for fear of contagion and/or prejudice. Ignorance about the disease and its transmission modes can be found in the interviewees’ statements, which seems to indicate that they have become vectors of transmission of stigma themselves. Patients’ medical leave from work during treatment may be due to both their health conditions and their attempt to avoid social/emotional embarrassment. There are accounts that TB has caused psychosocial damage to patients’ lives and that they feel more fatigue and lassitude and have begun to pay more attention to their own health.ConclusionsHealthcare workers should be aware of the ways TB treatment affect patients’ psychosocial life and develop strategies to mitigate these effects and provide opportunities for them to share their anxiety, suffering, and bio-psychosocial changes. In addition, healthcare professionals should seek to educate and, as a result, empower TB patients and their families with regard to this disease so as to break the existing vicious cycle of misinformation and prejudice.

BackgroundHealth care associated infections (HAIs) are a source of concern worldwide. No health service in any country can be considered HAI risk-free. However, there is scarcity of data on the risks to which both patients and health workers are subject in non-hospital settings. The aim of this study was to identify issues that determine the adherence of professionals to precautions for preventing transmission of microorganisms in primary health care.MethodThis was a qualitative study, using focus groups of primary health care staff, in two Brazilian municipalities. The data were analysed using content analysis.ResultsFour focus groups were conducted with 20 professionals (11 community health workers, 5 nursing assistants and 4 nurses), and the analysed content was organized into four thematic categories. These categories are: low risk perception, weaknesses in knowledge, insufficient in-service training and infrastructure limitations.Participants expressed their weaknesses in knowledge of standard and transmission based precautions, mainly for hand hygiene and tuberculosis. A lack of appropriate resources and standardization in sharps disposal management was also highlighted by the participants.ConclusionThe study points out the need to provide in-service training for professionals on the transmission of microorganisms in primary health care to ensure adequate level of risk perception and knowledge. Further recommendations include investment to improve infrastructure to facilitate adherence to precautions and to minimize the risk of disease transmission for both patients and health care workers.

Objectives: to describe the process of construction and content validation of a clinical setting for teaching and learning the recommended practices for preventing bloodstream infection, associated with peripheral venous catheters, for nursing professionals. Methods: methodological study of the construction of the scenario based on the National League Nursing Jeffries Simulation Theory, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, and the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency. Twelve experts performed content validation. We used to assess the degree of agreement between them, the Content Validity Index, and a descriptive analysis of the suggestions presented. Results: all the requirements of the simulated clinical scenario reached an agreement between judges of more than 80% in terms of clarity and relevance. Conclusions: the steps adopted in the construction and validation of the clinical scenario proved to be adequate and relevant, and the scenario is suitable for training professionals.

Objective: To know the perception, meanings and repercussions of specific precautions for hospitalized patients. Methods: Qualitative study with qualitative clinical methodology according to the vulnerability theoretical reference. The semi-directed interview and the Bardin content analysis were used. Results: Identification of three thematic units:(1) guidelines received, in which there was lack of information and misunderstandings about the reason for precautionary implementation;(2) perceptions about private rooms, there with both positive and negative perceptions; and (3) stigma related to the isolation condition, given patients felt constraint for being in a unit of infectious diseases and fear of being separated from the others. Final considerations: Situations of vulnerability were evidenced, both related to hospitalization and feelings aroused. The study can contribute to health services by broadening their vision beyond infection control. RESUMOObjetivo: Conhecer a percepção, significados e repercussões da precaução específica para o paciente internado. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo com metodologia clínica qualitativa sob referencial teórico de vulnerabilidade. Utilizou-se a entrevista semidirigida e análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: Identificaram-se três unidades temáticas: (1) orientações recebidas, em que se observou insuficiência de informações e equívocos sobre o motivo da implementação da precaução; (2) percepções sobre o quarto privativo, verificou-se tanto percepções positivas, quanto negativas; e (3) estigma relacionado à condição de isolamento, na qual identificou-se constrangimento por estar em uma unidade de doenças infecciosas e medo por estarem separados dos demais. Considerações finais: Situações de vulnerabilidades foram evidenciadas, tanto relacionadas à internação ofertada, quanto aos sentimentos despertados. O estudo pode contribuir com os serviços de saúde, ampliando sua visão para além do controle de infecções. RESUMENObjetivo: Conocer la percepción, los significados y repercusiones de la precaución específica para el paciente internado. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo con metodología clínica cualitativa bajo referencial teórico de vulnerabilidad. Se utilizó la entrevista semidirigida y el análisis de contenido de Bardin. Resultados: Se identificaron tres unidades temáticas: (1) directrices recibidas, en que se observó la información insuficiente y los conceptos erróneos acerca del por qué la aplicación de precaución; (2) percepciones sobre el cuarto privado, fueron verificadas tanto percepciones positivas, como negativas; y (3) estigma relacionado a la condición de aislamiento, en la cual se identificó constreñimiento por estar en una unidad de enfermedades infecciosas y miedo por estar separados de los demás. Consideraciones finales: Las situaciones de vulnerabilidad fueron evidenciadas, relacionadas tanto a la internación ofrecida, en cuanto a los sentimientos despertados. El estudio puede contribuir con los servicios de salud, ampliando su visión más allá del control de infec...