Tuberculosis Control Program and patient satisfaction, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Programa de Controle da Tuberculose e satisfação dos usuários, Rio de Janeiro

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE To evaluate factors associated with users’ satisfaction in the Tuberculosis Control Program. METHODS A cross-sectional study of 295 patients aged ≥ 18 years, with two or more outpatient visits in the Tuberculosis Control Program, in five cities in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Southeastern Brazil, in 2010. Considering an estimated population of 4,345 patients, the sampling plan included 15 health care units participating in the program, divided into two strata units in Rio de Janeiro City, selected with probability proportional to the monthly average number of outpatient visits, and units in the other four cities. In the units, four temporal clusters of five patients each were selected with equal probability, totaling 300 patients. A questionnaire investigating the users’ clinical and sociodemographic variables and aspects of care and service in the program relevant to user satisfaction was applied to the patients. Descriptive statistics about users and their satisfaction with the program were obtained, and the effects of factors associated with satisfaction were estimated. RESULTS Patients were predominantly males (57.7%), with a mean age of 40.9 and with low level of schooling. The mean treatment time was 4.1 months, mostly self-administered (70.4%). Additionally, 25.8% had previously been treated for tuberculosis. There was a high level of satisfaction, especially regarding medication provision, and respect to patients by the health professionals. Patients who were younger (≤ 30), those on self-administered treatment, and with graduate level, showed less satisfaction. Suggestions to improve the services include having more doctors (70.0%), and offering exams in the same place of attendance (55.1%). CONCLUSIONS Patient satisfaction with the Tuberculosis Control Program was generally high, although lower among younger patients, those with university education and those on ...

RESUMO

OBJETIVO Avaliar fatores associados à satisfação de usuários do Programa de Controle de Tuberculose. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal realizado com 295 pacientes ≥ 18 anos que tiveram duas ou mais consultas no Programa de Controle da Tuberculose em cinco municípios da região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, em 2010. Contemplando população estimada de 4.345 pacientes, o desenho da amostra incluiu 15 unidades com o programa, divididas em dois estratos unidades da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, selecionadas com probabilidade proporcional à média de consultas mensais, e unidades dos outros quatro municípios, incluídas com certeza. Nas unidades, quatro conglomerados temporais com cinco pacientes cada foram selecionados com equiprobabilidade, totalizando 300 pacientes. Utilizou-se questionário que investigou variáveis clínicas e sociodemográficas dos usuários e aspectos dos serviços e do atendimento no programa relevantes na percepção de satisfação desses. Estatísticas descritivas e a satisfação com o programa foram obtidas e os efeitos dos fatores associados à satisfação foram estimados. RESULTADOS Predominaram pacientes do sexo masculino (57,7%), com média de 40,9 anos e baixa escolaridade. O tempo médio de tratamento foi 4,1 meses, majoritariamente do tipo autoadministrado (70,4%). Ainda, 25,8% já tinham realizado tratamento prévio de tuberculose. Houve elevado nível de satisfação, sobretudo com relação à provisão de medicamentos e respeito aos pacientes pelos profissionais de saúde. Mostraram-se mais insatisfeitos pacientes mais jovens (≤ 30 anos), submetidos a tratamento autoadministrado e com nível superior. Sugestões de melhoria dos serviços incluíram aumento da quantidade de médicos (70,0%) e r...