THE DISCOVERY OF TUBERCULOSIS IN TERRITORY: QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF WORK OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the search actions of tuberculosis cases within the community health worker as well as its linkages with the health service to the continuity of the actions of diagnosis. Method: A qualitative study with twelve community health workers from four teams of family health in Pelotas who responded to the semi structured interview in July 2012. A content analysis of the interviews followed the steps of thematic analysis. Results: The community health worker recognizes the need for addressing the social situation of respiratory symptoms and values the bond for the resolution of health needs. Concerning the relationship with the service, identifying factors that limit its effectiveness, such as the disability in the structure and in the human resources of health facilities. Conclusion: It was found that the community health workers respondents are vital to the control of tuberculosis, with potential to build bridges between the health services and community, plus the ability to develop an approach based on relationship, accountability and solving health problems of individuals and family, and still produce health actions permeated by cultural, social and perceptions of health disease, promoting the union between the use of scientific knowledge in health and local beliefs.