Abstract
Objective:
To qualitatively assess the stigma and prejudice experienced by tuberculosis patients in their professional socio-affective context, their relationships and subjectivities.
Method:
Evaluative-qualitative study, developed through the Fourth Generation Evaluation, conducted with two interest groups (18 clients and 11 family members) served by the Unified Health System of the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro. For data collection, observation, individual interviews and occupational therapy host groups were used; the analysis was carried out using the hermeneutic-dialectic-comparative method.
Results:
The evaluation process showed that society perceives tuberculosis patients from their virtual image, disregarding their real image, that is, the stigmatizing identity predominates, generating the idea of non-citizens, without the right to a social place, work, that they must be excluded, their uniqueness abolished, potentiating situations of vulnerability, being taxed as those that do not fit the ideals of society.
Conclusion:
It is necessary to demystify the social imaginary that excludes tuberculosis patients, and the development of public policies with health education, prevention, information and fight against stigma is pertinent.
Keywords:
tuberculosis; qualitative research; occupational therapy; social vulnerability
Fonte: as autoras.