O que os idosos da cidade de Cuité conhecem sobre tuberculose.

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, known as koch bacillus (BK), which is considered a public health problem worldwide because of its high incidence and prevalence. In this way, it represents a serious health problem for the elderly, since aging brings with it several modifications that affect the various organs and systems. The objective of the study was to analyze the knowledge of a group of elderly, accompanied by the Family Health Strategy of the city of Cuité-PB, on tuberculosis. This is an exploratory research with a qualitative approach carried out in the municipality of Cuité. Empirical data were analyzed using the Content Analysis technique. In the sociodemographic aspects, it was observed that, among the 10 interviewed, 9 were women and natural majority of the city of Cuité-PB, with ages varying between 60 and 78 years. Although all interviewees reported having heard of tuberculosis, most of them had difficulties in conceptualizing it, limiting knowledge to signs and symptoms, but some can relate the transmission of TB with air, citing cough. Regarding the diagnostic means, the knowledge was fragile, since some signs and symptoms, x-ray and sputum examination were diagnosed as ways of diagnosing TB. Regarding the availability of treatment, none of the participants knew whether it was in Cuité. The FHT needs to create means to debate tuberculosis in its actions and consultations, in order to spread the knowledge in the community of the elderly, since these are part of the risk group of the disease. In addition, the older the person learns about a particular communicable disease, the easier it will be to identify them, allowing for early diagnosis, treatment and control.