Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in prisons in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: The number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in prisons is higher than that in the general population and has been reported as the most common cause of death in prisons. This study evaluated the delay in the diagnosis and treatment of TB in Brazilian prisons. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2007 and 2015 using data from the five largest male prisons in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. TB case data was collected from the National Database of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), GAL-LACEN, and prison medical records. The following variables were recorded: prison, year of diagnosis, age, race, education, HIV status, smoking status, comorbidities, number of symptoms, percentage of cures, delay in diagnosis, patient delay, provider delay, laboratory delay, and delay in treatment. Descriptive statistics were used for the variables of interest. Results: A total of 362 pulmonary TB cases were identified. The average time between the first symptom and reporting of data was 94 days. The mean time between symptom onset and laboratory diagnosis was 91 days. The average time from symptom onset to first consultation was 80 days. The time between diagnosis and treatment initiation was 5 days. Conclusions: Delays were significant between reporting of the first symptoms and diagnosis and significantly smaller from the time between notification and start of treatment. Control strategies should be implemented to diagnose cases through active screening, to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment, and to reduce TB transmission.

Maternal mortality according to race/skin color in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from 2010 to 2015 / Mortalidade materna segundo raça/cor, em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, de 2010 a 2015

Abstract Objectives: to investigate the epidemiological profile, by race/skin color, of maternal deaths in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Methods: the present epidemiological study of maternal death distribution by race/skin color was based on data extracted from Brazilian mortality and livebirth information systems from 2010 to 2015. The maternal mortality ratio and the specific maternal mortality ratio were calculated and analyzed according to obstetric variables. Results: the death risk for black (RR = 4.3, CI95%= 2.088.71) and indigenous women (RR = 3.7, CI95% 2.26.23) was approximately fourfold in comparison to the risk for white women. For direct causes of death, the state of Mato Grosso do Sul showed higher levels, 74.1%, as well as for most races/skin colors in the first triennium. The specific maternal mortality ratio was higher among black and indigenous women aged30 to 39 years old (416.7 and 651.8, respectively) per 100,000 live births (p<0.05). Conclusions: higher maternal mortality ratio for indigenous and black women and the predominance of deaths related to direct obstetric causes among race/skin color categories reflect inadequate health care during pregnancy and puerperium.

Resumo Objetivos: Analisar o perfil epidemiológico dos óbitos maternos segundo raça/cor em Mato Grosso do Sul. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico dos óbitos maternos segundo raça/cor, a partir dos dados extraídos dos Sistemas de Informações de Mortalidade e de Nascidos Vivos, de 2010 a 2015. Foram calculadas a razão de mortalidade materna, razão de mortalidade materna específica e análise dos óbitos maternos segundo variáveis obstétricas. Resultados: O risco de óbito de mulheres pretas (RR = 4,3; IC95%= 2,088,71) e indígenas (RR = 3,7; IC95%= 2,26,23) foi aproximadamente quatro vezes maior quando comparadas às brancas. As causas obstétricas diretas apresentaram maiores frequências, tanto para o Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, como para a maioria das raças/cor no primeiro triênio. A razão da mortalidade materna específica foi elevada entre as mulheres indígenas e pretas, 651,8 e 416,7 óbitos por 100 mil nascidos vivos, respectivamente, na faixa etária entre 30 a 39 anos (p<0,05). Conclusão: A elevada razão de mortalidade materna para as mulheres indígenas e pretas e o predomínio de óbitos relacionados às causas obstétricas diretas entre as categorias de raça/cor refletem a inadequada assistência à saúde no período gravídico puerperal.

Estudo multicêntrico da prevalência de tuberculose e HIV na população carcerária do Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul / Multicenter study of the prevalence of tuberculosis and HIV in the prison population of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos anteriores relataram maior prevalência de Tuberculose e HIV entre os prisioneiros do que na população geral no Brasil, mas existem dados limitados disponíveis para facilitar o desenvolvimento de intervenções efetivas neste cenário de alta transmissão. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência e os fatores de risco associados à Tuberculose e ao HIV. METODOLOGIA: Realizado questionário para a amostra de detentos de 12 prisões em Mato Grosso do Sul (Brasil), prova tuberculínica, coletado sangue para teste de HIVe duas amostras de escarro para baciloscopia e cultura de participantes que relataram tosse de qualquer duração, de Janeiro a Dezembro de2013. RESUILTADOS: Foram recrutados 3.380 detentos, dos quais 2.861(84,6%) eram homens de 8 prisões e 519 (15,4%) eram mulheres de4 prisões. Entre os 1.020 (30%) indivíduos que relataram tosse, 691(68%) coletaram escarro e foram identificados 31 casos de tuberculose ativa, com uma prevalência de 917 por 100.000 detentos. A prevalência de tuberculose latente foi de 22,5% e 11,7% para homens e mulheres,respectivamente. Dos participantes, 55 (1,63%) são soropositivos: 45(1,58%) homens e 10 mulheres (1,93%). CONCLUSÕES: Observou-se que a prevalência de tuberculose ativa e HIV são mais elevadas entre detentos do que na população geral, o que indica um alto risco de infecção e transmissão dentro dessas configurações. Para melhorar o controle da tuberculose nas prisões é necessária a detecção de casos de TB ativa em presídios através da triagem frequente e detecção de casos passiva e ativa.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have reported higher Tuberculosis and HIVprevalence among prisoners than the general population in Brazil, yet there are limited data available to facilitate the development of effectiveinterventions in this high-transmission setting. The aim of this study wasto evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with TB and HIV. METHODS: We administered a questionnaire and tuberculin skin test (TST)to a population-based sample of inmates from 12 prisons in Mato Grasso do Sul (Brazil) and collected sera for HIV testing and two sputum samplesfor smear microscopy and culture from participants reporting a cough ofany duration, from January to December 2013. RESULTS: We recruited 3,380inmates, of which 2,861 (84.6%) were males from 8 prisons, and 519(15.4%) were females from 4 prisons. Among the 1,020 (30%) subjectswho reported a cough, we obtained sputum from 691 (68%) and identified31 cases of active TB for a prevalence of 917 per 100,000 prisoners. The prevalences of LTBI were 22.5% and 11.7% for male and female prisoners, respectively. Of these participants, 55 (1.63%) tested HIV-positive: 45(1.58%) men and 10 women (1.93%). It is observed that the prevalence ofTB and HIV are higher in prisons than in urban populations, indicating ahigh risk of infection and transmission within these settings. CONCLUSIONS: It is observed that the prevalence of Tuberculose and HIV are higher inprisons than in urban populations, indicating a high risk of infection andtransmission within these settings. For enhancing TB control in prisons is necessary case detection for active TB in prison facilities through frequent screening and passive and active case-finding of inmates.