ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze whether user-centered nursing practices in TB DOT are being carried out and are contributing to democracy. Method: A cross-sectional, exploratory, descriptive study with 123 nurses in three capital cities with high incidence of TB (Manaus-AM, João Pessoa-PB, Porto Alegre-RS) in Brazil. Data were collected from January to June 2014. Descriptive and multiple correspondence analyzes were used. Results: It was identified that the most user-centered care actions had scores below 50%, considered unfavorable to the exercise of democracy. In the analysis of the general user-centered practice score per municipality, Manaus and João Pessoa presented unfavorable results, and the municipality of Porto Alegre was partially favorable. Conclusion: The three municipalities need to advance in the implementation of user-centered practices in DOT, because their health system still has difficulties and challenges to overcome.