Cogitare Enfermagem (Mar 2016)

KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAMILIES OF PATIENTS WITH TUBERCULOSIS REGARDING THIS DISEASE: A TRANSVERSAL STUDY

  • Ana Angélica Rêgo de Queiroz,
  • Dândara Nayara Azevêdo Dantas,
  • Rayssa Horácio Lopes,
  • Rejane Maria Paiva de Menezes,
  • Bertha Cruz Enders,
  • Ricardo Alexandre Arcêncio

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v21i1.42136
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 21, no. 1
pp. 01 – 09

Abstract

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The article aimed to analyze the knowledge of the family members of the patients with tuberculosis regarding this disease. It is an epidemiological, descriptive and transversal study undertaken through a questionnaire applied to 50 family members of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis in Natal (State of Río Grande do Norte – RN) between March and August 2012. The data were analyzed through frequencies, percentages, measurements of central tendency and the combining of dichotomous variables using the Chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test. Among the interviewees, 34 (68%) stated that they had little knowledge, and 11 (22%) that they had no knowledge, regarding tuberculosis. In relation to the infectious period of the disease, 20 (40%) gave incorrect responses. It is concluded that the knowledge expressed by the family members regarding tuberculosis was satisfactory in certain aspects. However, it raised worrying characteristics in relation to the disease. In this scenario, it is essential to promote and disseminate information regarding the disease, as a form of controlling tuberculosis.

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