Sociocultural factors in the health care process of patients with tuberculosis, of Vaccarezza Institute of Muñiz Hospital, 2009

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study proposed an ethnographic approach on the impact of socio-cultural factors in the health care process of patients with tuberculosis of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), at the Institute Vaccarezza-Muñiz Hospital. OBJECTIVE: The goal was to build an intricate knowledge of the health / disease / care processes of tuberculosis. METHOD: Through ethnographic methodology we investigate the ways in risk factors linked to lifestyles / labour as well as in the therapeutic paths to diagnose and treat the disease, of the work-place, of the household and of public care services. We considered the voices of different stakeholders linked to the phenomena, which we analyzed jointly with their practices. RESULTS: within the most vulnerable groups of tuberculosis patients, we identified bolivian immigrants who work in clandestine textile workshops at AMBA. These work as the central housing production units, their ways of life and work, and because of their characteristics, they are spaces that enable the emergence of tuberculosis, its spread and transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the semi-slavery conditions in which these individuals work and live, their right to health care is relatively limited.