Abstract
Introduction:
the research addresses the biosafety of health professionals who attend to tuberculosis (TB) patients in two health care facilities from the Brazilian Amazon - Belém, state of Pará - a school Health Center and a Primary Health Unit (UMS) where most regional TB cases are treated.
Objective:
to analyze the health professionals' knowledge on TB biosafety, the infrastructure, the procedures and the TB biosafety resources adopted in these services.
Method:
a semi-structured interview was conducted with those who deal with the patients, and an observation guide was applied to evaluate the physical structure of the areas specially designated for TB treatment, both based on the TB guidelines of the Brazilian Society of Pneumology and Tisiology.
Results:
the absence of biosafety measures, as well as the lack of permanent training, compromise the workers' health. The risk of TB transmission seems to be higher in the UMS due to deficiencies in care organization and to the absence of an adequate environment that could prevent the direct contact of contagious patients with other people.
Conclusion:
there is an urgent need for changes in the UMS's workplace and work organization, and also for a permanent TB training program for the health care professionals from both services.
Keywords:
nosocomial tuberculosis; occupational safety; health center; Amazonia; public health