[Patients living with HIV/AIDS and co-infection by tuberculosis: difficulties associated with treatment compliance or dropout].

Research carried out in Fortaleza-CE, between March and April 2011, with the objective of describing the difficulties that influence non-compliance to tuberculosis treatment or treatment dropout in patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Qualitative study with data collected through a semi-structured interview, applied to patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and with co-infection of tuberculosis. The Collective Subject's Speech was used for result analysis. Patients reported difficulties related to socioeconomic aspects, lifestyle and drug use. The consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs were factors that led to the discontinuance of the therapeutic process of the disease. We conclude that the barriers related to social economical aspects and to lifestyle are more difficult to be faced for a continuous compliance to treatment, making the role played by health professionals necessary, supported by more effective public and social policies.