Assessment of Primary Health Care in the Treatment of Tuberculosis in a Brazilian Locality of the International Triple Frontier
Anneliese Domingues Wysocki2
Lúcia Marina Scatena3
Erika Simone Galvão Pinto4
Aline Ale Beraldo5
Rubia Laine Paula Andrade5
Adriana Zilly1
Rosane Meire Munhak da Silva1
Michela Prestes Gomes5
Paulo César Morales Mayer1
Antonio Ruffino-Netto5
Tereza Cristina Scatena Villa5
Authors Info & Affiliations
Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate the performance of Primary Health Care (PHC) in treatment of TB patients in a triple international border municipality.
Methods:
The present study was an evaluative survey of cross-sectional and quantitative approach conducted with 225 PHC healthcare professionals. Data was collected through a structured and validated instrument, which provided five indicators of "structure" and four indicators of "process" classified as unsatisfactory, regular or satisfactory.
Results:
The "structure" component was unsatisfactory for the indicator of professionals involved in TB care and training, and regular for the indicator of connection between the units and other levels of care. The "process" component was regular for the indicators of TB information, directly observed treatment and reference and counter reference on TB, and unsatisfactory for external actions on TB control.
Conclusion:
The "structure" and "process" components points out some weaknesses in terms of management and organization of human resources. Low frequency of training and the turnover influenced the involvement of professionals. Elements of "structure" and "process" show the need for investing in the PHC team and improving the clinical management of cases.
