Causes of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis from the perspectives of health providers: challenges and strategies for adherence to treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a serious phenomenon on a global scale that can worsen with the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to understand the perceptions of health professionals about MDR-TB, their strategies to ensure adherence to treatment and their challenges in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in a priority municipality for disease control. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study and recruited 14 health providers (four doctors, three nurses, three nursing technicians, three nursing assistants and a social worker) working in a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Remote semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. For data analysis, the thematic content analysis technique was applied according to the study's theoretical framework. RESULTS: The study revealed the causes of MDR-TB are associated with poverty, vulnerability, and social risk. A pre-judgement from the providers was observed, namely, all patients do not adhere due their resistance and association with drug abuse or alcoholism. The study also observed difficulty among health providers in helping patients reconstruct and reframe their life projects under a care perspective, which would strengthen adherence. Other issues that weakened adherence were the cuts in social protection and the benefits really necessary to the patients and a challenge for the providers manage that. The participants revealed that their actions were impacted by the pandemic and insecurity and fear manifested by patients after acquiring COVID-19. For alleviating this, medical appointments by telephone, delivery of medicine in the homes of patients and visits by health professionals once per week were provided. CONCLUSION: The study advances knowledge by highlighting the challenges faced by the health system with the adherence of patients with MDR-TB in a context aggravated by the pandemic. An improvement in DOT is really necessary to help the patients reframe their lives without prejudices, face their fears and insecurity, recover their self-esteem and motivate in concluding their treatment.

Patients' perceptions regarding multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and barriers to seeking care in a priority city in Brazil during COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

This study aimed to analyze the discourses of patients who were diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, the perception of why they acquired this health condition and barriers to seeking care in a priority city in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was an exploratory qualitative study, which used the theoretical-methodological framework of the Discourse Analysis of French matrix, guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. The study was conducted in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Seven participants were interviewed who were undergoing treatment at the time of the interview. The analysis of the participants' discourses allowed the emergence of four discursive blocks: (1) impact of the social determinants in the development of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, (2) barriers to seeking care and difficulties accessing health services, (3) perceptions of the side effects and their impact on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment, and (4) tuberculosis and COVID-19: a necessary dialogue. Through discursive formations, these revealed the determinants of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Considering the complexity involved in the dynamics of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, advancing in terms of equity in health, that is, in reducing unjust differences, is a challenge for public policies, especially at the current moment in Brazil, which is of accentuated economic, political and social crisis. The importance of psychosocial stressors and the lack of social support should also be highlighted as intermediary determinants of health. The study has also shown the situation of COVID-19, which consists of an important barrier for patients seeking care. Many patients reported fear, insecurity and worry with regard to returning to medical appointments, which might contribute to the worsening of tuberculosis in the scenario under study.

Tuberculose multidroga - resistente, seus determinantes, estratégias para adesão dos pacientes e equidade na era COVID-19: uma análise sob a perspectiva dos profissionais de saúde (Brasil, 2020) / Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, its determinants, strategies for patient compliance and equity in the COVID-19 era: An analysis from the perspective of health professionals (Brazil, 2020)

Introdução: A tuberculose multidroga-resistente (TB-MDR) é um fenômeno grave em escala global, e muitos desafios são enfrentados no Brasil para a prevenção do surgimento de novos casos, e ainda garantir o sucesso de tratamento entre aqueles diagnosticados, e diante da pandemia da COVID-19 isso se tornou ainda mais complexo. Assim, o estudo objetivou compreender os determinantes da tuberculose multidroga-resistente segundo a percepção dos profissionais de saúde, que prestam cuidado direto a pacientes sob essa condição de saúde, e ainda os desafios e ou estratégias para adesão, considerando o contexto da pandemia da COVID-19 em município prioritário para o controle da doença no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo qualitativo, com recrutamento intencional, de quatorze profissionais de saúde, sendo quatro médicos, três enfermeiras, três técnicos de enfermagem, três auxiliares de enfermagem e uma assistente social, que estavam na linha de frente no cuidado aos pacientes com TB-MDR. Aplicou-se entrevistas semiestruturadas remotas com esses profissionais, orientadas por roteiro estruturado. Para a análise dos dados, aplicou-se a análise de conteúdo modalidade temática, de acordo com referencial teórico dos determinantes sociais da saúde. Resultados: Os profissionais referem como principal causa da TB-MDR, a adquirida, devido à situação de pobreza, desigualdade e privação social. Em relação à pandemia COVID-19, os profissionais revelaram interferência no acompanhamento/ seguimento dos pacientes, o que pode prejudicar na sua conclusão do tratamento e transmissão comunitária. Verificou-se ainda, cortes nos auxílios e ou benefícios sociais que cobriam os pacientes, recursos importantes para a equidade em saúde e adesão ao tratamento. Os profissionais relataram preocupações quanto ao adoecimento das pessoas, também por COVID-19, e assim vêm adotando estratégias para que isso não ocorra, com reforço à estratégia DOTS. Conclusão: O estudo avança no conhecimento ao evidenciar os desafios enfrentados pelo sistema de saúde para a adesão de pacientes com TB-MDR em um contexto agravado pela pandemia. As estratégias definidas por esses profissionais de saúde têm garantido o alcance da equidade e evitado o encontro catastrófico entre TB-MDR e COVID-19

Introduction: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a serious phenomenon on a global scale, and many challenges are faced in Brazil to prevent the emergence of new cases, and to ensure the success of treatment among those diagnosed, and in the face of pandemic of COVID-19, this has become even more complex. Thus, the study aimed to understand the determinants of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis according to the perception of health professionals, who provide direct care to patients under this health condition, and also the challenges and / or strategies for adherence, considering the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in a priority municipality for disease control in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out, with intentional recruitment, of fourteen health professionals, four doctors, three nurses, three nursing technicians, three nursing assistants and a social worker, who were at the forefront in patient care with TB-MDR. Remote semi-structured interviews were applied with these professionals, guided by a structured script. For data analysis, thematic modality content analysis was applied, according to the theoretical framework of the social determinants of health. Results: Professionals refer to acquired as the main cause of MDR-TB, due to the situation of poverty, inequality and social deprivation. In relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the professionals revealed interference in the follow-up / follow-up of patients, which can impair their conclusion of treatment and community transmission. There were also cuts in aid and / or social benefits that covered patients, important resources for equity in health and adherence to treatment. The professionals reported concerns about people's illness, also due to COVID-19, and so they have been adopting strategies so that this does not happen, reinforcing the DOTS strategy. Conclusion: The study advances in knowledge by highlighting the challenges faced by the health system for the adherence of patients with MDR-TB in a context aggravated by the pandemic. The strategies defined by these health professionals have ensured the achievement of equity and avoided the catastrophic encounter between TB-MDR and COVID-19

Risk areas for tuberculosis among children and their inequalities in a city from Southeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to identify areas of risk for the appearance of tuberculosis in children and their association with social inequalities in a municipality in southeastern Brazil. METHODS: Ecological study conducted in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. To identify areas of spatial risk for tuberculosis in children, we used spatial scanning statistics. To analyze the association of cases of childhood tuberculosis with social vulnerability, we used the Social Vulnerability Index of São Paulo, and four explanatory statistical models were listed. RESULTS: There were 96 cases of childhood tuberculosis, of which 90 were geocoded through a process of converting addresses to geographic coordinates. A risk area was identified in the municipality, where children under 15 years old have 3.14 times greater risk of contracting tuberculosis than those living outside this area. The variables identified as risk factors were: number of private and collective households, proportion of children aged 0 to 5 years in the population, proportion of households without per capita income, and the proportion of private households with monthly nominal incomes of up to one quarter of wage minimums. The variables identified as protection factors were the proportion of women under the age of 30 years responsible for the household under and women responsible for the household with an average income over BRL 2344. CONCLUSION: The study showed areas of risk for the occurrence of tuberculosis in children. The study is in line with the End TB Strategy and the 2030 Agenda, which aim to support strategic actions and, therefore, save the lives of children through the systematic, intensified, and comprehensive identification of children with tuberculosis respiratory symptoms in the community.

Trends and forecasts of leprosy for a hyperendemic city from Brazil's northeast: Evidence from an eleven-year time-series analysis.

This study's objective was to estimate the temporal trends of leprosy according to sex and age groups, as well as to estimate and predict the progression of the disease in a hyperendemic city located in the northeast of Brazil. This ecological time-series study was conducted in Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil. Leprosy cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2016 were included. Detection rates stratified by sex and age groups were estimated. The study of temporal trends was accomplished using the Seasonal-Trend Decomposition method and temporal modeling of detection rates using linear seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model according to Box and Jenkins method. Trend forecasts were performed for the 2017-2020 period. A total of 3,212 cases of leprosy were identified, the average incidence among men aged between 30 and 59 years old was 201.55/100,000 inhabitants and among women in the same age group was 135.28/100,000 inhabitants. Detection rates in total and by sex presented a downward trend, though rates stratified according to sex and age presented a growing trend among men aged less than 15 years old and among women aged 60 years old or over. The final models selected in the time-series analysis show the forecasts of total detection rates and rates for men and women presented a downward trend for the 2017-2020 period. Even though the forecasts show a downward trend in Imperatriz, the city is unlikely to meet a significant decrease of the disease burden by 2020.

Temporal trends in areas at risk for concomitant tuberculosis in a hyperendemic municipality in the Amazon region of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Although preventable and curable, tuberculosis (TB) still occurs in poor or developing countries, mainly in metropolitan regions of larger cities. The disease is a serious public health problem, and is directly linked to social issues. We analyzed temporal trend variations in areas at risk for concomitant TB, and characterized the clinical and epidemiological profiles of cases in a hyperendemic municipality in the Amazon region of Brazil. METHODS: This ecological study was performed in the municipality of Manaus, in northern Brazil. The population comprised cases with concomitant pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, registered on the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018. For risk cluster detection, spatial and spatiotemporal scanning statistical techniques were used. The Spatial Variation in Temporal Trends (SVTT) approach was used to detect and infer clusters for significantly different time trends. RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2018, 873 concomitant TB cases were registered in Manaus. By using purely spatial scanning statistics, we identified two risk clusters. The relative risk (RR) of the clusters was 2.21 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.57-2.88; P = 0.0031) and 2.03 (95% CI: 1.58-2.58; P = 0.0029). Using space-time scanning, we identified a risk cluster with an RR of 3.57 (95% CI: 2.84-4.41; P = 0.014), between 2017 and 2018. For SVTT analyses, three clusters with spatial variations were detected in the significant temporal trends: SVTT 1 (P = 0.042), SVTT 2 (P = 0.046) and SVTT 3 (P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, several TB-determining factors such as race/color, gender, low educational level and low income overlap in needy urban areas and communities, demonstrating that it is unlikely to reach the goals, agreed and launched with the END TB Strategy within the deadlines of international agreements, if there is no reduction in existing inequities determinants and risk of illness in the country.

Determinants of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in São Paulo-Brazil: a multilevel Bayesian analysis of factors associated with individual, community and access to health services.

OBJECTIVE: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains a serious public health problem worldwide. Accordingly, this study sought to identify individual, community and access to health services risk factors for MDR-TB. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of all TB cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2016 in the state of São Paulo. A Bayesian spatial hierarchical analysis with a multilevel design was carried out. RESULTS: It was identified that the history of previous TB treatment (Odds Ratios [OR]:13.86, 95% credibility interval [95% CI]:12.06-15.93), positive sputum culture test (OR: 5.26, 95% CI: 4.44-6.23), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.87-2.91), residing at a standard address (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.91-3.60), positive sputum smear microscopy (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.44-2.12), cavitary pulmonary TB (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.14-1.60) and diagnosis performed due to spontaneous request (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10-1.46) were associated with MDR-TB. Furthermore, municipalities that performed HIV tests in less than 42.65% of patients with TB (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.25-1.79), that diagnosed TB cases only after death (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.17-1.93) and that had more than 20.16% of their population with income between » and ½ of one minimum wage (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.30-1.87) were also related to the MDR-TB. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of these predictive factors may help to develop more comprehensive disease prevention strategies for MDR-TB, avoiding the risks expressed regarding drug resistance expansion.

OBJECTIF: La tuberculose multirésistante (TB-MDR) reste un grave problème de santé publique dans le monde. Cette étude visait à identifier les facteurs de risque individuels, communautaires et d'accès aux services de santé pour la TB-MDR. MÉTHODES: Analyse de cohorte rétrospective de tous les cas de TB diagnostiqués entre 2006 et 2016 dans l'Etat de São Paulo par analyse bayésienne spatiale à plusieurs niveaux. RÉSULTATS: Les antécédents de traitements antituberculeux (Rapports de cotes [OR]: 13,86, Intervalle de confiance à 95% [IC95%]: 12.06-15.93), un test de culture d'expectorations positif (OR: 5,26, IC95%: 4,44-6,23), le diabète sucré (OR: 2,34, IC95%: 1,87-2,91), la résidence à une adresse standard (OR: 2,62, IC95%: 1,91-3,60), la microscopie à frottis positif (OR: 1,74, IC95%: 1,44-2,12), la TB pulmonaire (OR: 1,35, IC95%: 1,14-1,60) et le diagnostic réalisé en raison d'une demande spontanée (OR: 1,26; IC95%: 1,10-1,46) étaient associés à la TB-MDR. Les municipalités qui ont effectué des tests de dépistage du VIH chez moins de 42,65% des patients atteints de TB (OR: 1,50, IC95%: 1,25-1,79), qui ont diagnostiqué des cas de TB uniquement après le décès (OR: 1,50, IC95%: 1,17-1,93) et qui avaient plus de 20,16% de leur population avec un revenu entre » et ½ d'un salaire minimum (OR: 1,56, IC95%: 1,30-1,87) étaient également associées à la TB-MDR. CONCLUSIONS: La connaissance de ces facteurs prédictifs peut aider à développer des stratégies plus complètes de prévention des maladies pour la TB-MDR, en évitant les risques d'extension de la résistance aux médicaments.

Spatial distribution and temporal trend of National Health System and Supplemental Health Sector human resources, Brazil, 2005-2016. / A distribuição espacial e a tendência temporal de recursos humanos para o Sistema Único de Saúde e para a Saúde Suplementar, Brasil, 2005 a 2016.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the spatial distribution and temporal trend of human resources for the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) and the Supplemental Health sector. METHODS: an ecological study was conducted in the country's 27 Federative Units (FUs); SUS Information Technology Department (DATASUS) data were used relating to the doctor, dental surgeon, nurse and nursing technician personnel categories for the period 2005-2016; Prais-Winsten regression was used to assess the time trend. RESULTS: there was an rising trend of Supplemental Health Sector human resources in all personnel categories, with an mean annual increase of 0.054 (95%CI: 0.031;0.076); with regard to SUS, there was an increase in dental surgeons and nursing technicians, with annual increases of 0.008 (95%CI: 0.003;0.011), and 0.066 (95%CI 0.022; 0.087), respectively, while in most FU, nurses showed a stationary trend and doctors showed a stationary or falling trend. CONCLUSION: inequalities were found in human resource distribution, reflecting the health system crisis.

A distribuição espacial e a tendência temporal de recursos humanos para o Sistema Único de Saúde e para a Saúde Suplementar, Brasil, 2005 a 2016 / La distribución espacial de la tendencia temporal de recursos humanos para el Sistema Único de Salud y para la Salud Suplementaria, Brasil, 2005 a 2016 / Spatial distribution and temporal trend of National Health System and Supplemental Health Sector human resources, Brazil, 2005-2016

Resumo Objetivo: analisar a distribuição espacial e a tendência temporal de recursos humanos para o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e a Saúde Suplementar no Brasil. Métodos: estudo ecológico realizado nas 27 Unidades da Federação (UFs); utilizaram-se dados das categorias dos médicos, cirurgiões-dentistas, enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem, nos anos de 2005 a 2016, coletados do Departamento de Informática do SUS (Datasus); empregou-se regressão de Prais-Winsten para avaliar a tendência temporal. Resultados: evidenciou-se tendência crescente de recursos humanos para a Saúde Suplementar em todas as categorias profissionais, com incremento anual médio de 0,054 (IC95%: 0,031;0,076); para o SUS, observou-se crescimento dos cirurgiões-dentistas e técnicos de enfermagem, com incrementos anuais de 0,008 (IC95%: 0,003;0,011) e 0,066 (IC95%: 0,022;0,087), respectivamente, enquanto na maioria das UFs, enfermeiros apresentaram tendência estacionária, e médicos, tendência estacionária ou decrescente. Conclusão: evidenciaram-se desigualdades na distribuição de recursos humanos, um reflexo da crise do sistema de saúde.

Resumen Objetivo: analizar la distribución espacial y la tendencia temporal de recursos humanos para el SUS y la Salud Complementaria en Brasil. Métodos: estudio ecológico realizado en las 27 Unidades de la Federación (UF); se utilizaron los datos de las categorias; médicas, cirujanos dentales, enfermeros y técnicos de enfermería, en el periodo de 2005 a 2016, obtenidos del Departamento de Informática do SUS (Datasus); la regresión de Prais-Winsten se utilizó para evaluar la tendencia temporal. Resultados: se hizo visible tendencia creciente de recursos humanos para la Salud Complementaria, con tasas de incremento anual de 0,054 (IC95% 0,031; 0,076); para el SUS, hubo crecimiento de dentistas y técnicos de enfermería, con tasas de 0,008 (IC95%: 0,003;0,011) y 0.066 (IC95%: 0,022;0,087), respectivamente, mientras en la mayoría de las UF, los enfermeros/as presentaron una tendencia estacionaria y los médicos mostraron una tendencia estacionaria o decreciente. Conclusión: se encontró desigualdad en la distribución de recursos humanos lo cual refleja la crisis del sistema de salud.

Abstract Objective: to analyze the spatial distribution and temporal trend of human resources for the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) and the Supplemental Health sector. Methods: an ecological study was conducted in the country's 27 Federative Units (FUs); SUS Information Technology Department (DATASUS) data were used relating to the doctor, dental surgeon, nurse and nursing technician personnel categories for the period 2005-2016; Prais-Winsten regression was used to assess the time trend. Results: there was an rising trend of Supplemental Health Sector human resources in all personnel categories, with an mean annual increase of 0.054 (95%CI: 0.031;0.076); with regard to SUS, there was an increase in dental surgeons and nursing technicians, with annual increases of 0.008 (95%CI: 0.003;0.011), and 0.066 (95%CI 0.022; 0.087), respectively, while in most FU, nurses showed a stationary trend and doctors showed a stationary or falling trend. Conclusion: inequalities were found in human resource distribution, reflecting the health system crisis.