Fear, danger, stigma: social representations of drug users and/or dealers affected by tuberculosis and healthcare professionals in primary care

Abstract

This paper presents and discusses data from a research conducted in the Manguinhos neighborhood communities, municipality of Rio de Janeiro (RJ, Brazil), on tuberculosis treatment within the context of urban violence. For that purpose, social and human sciences theories were considered. The study approaches the social representations that have influenced the interaction between the actors involved in this process, healthcare providers, and people affected by tuberculosis and drug users and/or drug dealers, which are consequence of historic constructions and social contradictions established by the social context of violence where they were inserted. The research method was qualitative, with semi-directive interviews following an ethnographic script. The interpretation of the answers searched for meanings based on thematic categories, aiming at their articulation in wider categories. The findings revealed that the interactions between users and healthcare providers occurred under an atmosphere of danger, fear, and stigma in relation to tuberculosis and violence.