Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) in Argentina has been on the rise in recent years, with a higher notification rate in the 15 to 49-year-old age group. Although it is estimated that the incidence of TB in pregnant and postpartum indi viduals is higher than in the general population, there is insufficient data in our country. Congenital trans mission is very rare. We report a case of congenital TB transmission diagnosed through epidemiological criteria and molecular methods. We emphasize the importance of implementing TB screening algorithms in pregnancy, tailored to the populations served and the resources available, and we highlight the contribution of genomic sequencing at clinical and epidemiological levels.

Resumen La tuberculosis (TB) en Argentina continúa en au mento en los últimos años, con mayor tasa de notifi cación en el grupo etario de 15 a 49 años. Si bien se estima que la incidencia de TB en personas gestantes y puérperas es superior a la de la población general, no disponemos de datos de nuestro país. Asimismo, su transmisión congénita es infrecuente. Reportamos un caso de transmisión congénita de TB diagnosticado por criterios epidemiológicos y métodos moleculares. Resaltamos la importancia de implementar algoritmos de cribado para TB en personas gestantes, adecuados a las poblaciones asistidas y a los recursos disponibles, y ponderamos el aporte de la secuenciación genómica a nivel clínico y epidemiológico.

BACKGROUND. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major contributor to mortality among patients affected by HIV. TB diagnosis can be challenging, especially in those who are severely ill and unable to produce sputum. Urine lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is a rapid point-of-care diagnostic tool that is used on urine. The dilemma arises if a urine LAM test yields a negative result when the clinical presentation is strongly suggestive of TB. OBJECTIVE. To investigate how a urine LAM test result changes the physician's decision to start TB treatment in people living with HIV in Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital (KPTH). METHOD. A cross-sectional study was done at KPTH in the internal medicine wards, family medicine and HIV outpatient departments. Patients who were HIV positive with a strong TB diagnosis suspicion, had a CD4 count <200 cells/mm³, were aged >13 years and had a urine LAM done to investigate TB were included. Outcomes investigated were: presenting symptoms, clinical signs, radiological and haematological investigations, including CD4 count and HIV viral load, urine LAM results and whether TB treatment was initiated or not. At KPTH, a register of all patients who have been given a urine LAM test is held at the TB notification centre, which was where the information regarding urine LAM results was retrieved from, as well as whether treatment was initiated or not. The patients' clinical hospital records and National Health Laboratory Service lab results were retrieved for necessary information. RESULTS. There were 430 patient records and urine LAM results retrieved: 307 (71.4%) had negative results and 123 (28.6%) had positive results. Of the 307 (71.4%) with a negative result, 120 (39.1%) were initiated on treatment, and only 3 of those who had positive results (1.6%) did not receive treatment. The urine LAM test results appeared to influence clinicians' decisions to treat when the result was positive. If the urine LAM was negative, clinicians still initiated treatment based on adequate clinical suspicion and other investigations. There was significant incongruency between patients with a negative urine LAM test who received TB treatment (p<0.001). CONCLUSION. The use of the urine LAM did not change the physician's decision to start TB treatment where the was a high suspicion of TB based on clinical presentation and other investigations. Physicians depended more on their clinical intuition where the urine LAM was negative.

BACKGROUND: Treatment success rate is a critical indicator for monitoring the progress of tuberculosis (TB) treatment programmes at both the patient and population levels. It informs decisions about resource allocation and the effectiveness of TB control strategies. This study aimed to determine the level of TB cure rates and the factors associated with treatment success among TB patients receiving TB care in the Collins Chabane municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa. METHODS: Medical records from April 2020 to March 2021 of 289 patients attending primary health care facilities, initiated on anti-TB treatment were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data and modified Poisson regression was used to determine factors associated with treatment success. Statistical software Epi Info was used for analysis. RESULTS: Of the 289 TB cases, 282 (97.6%) were newly initiated on TB treatment. Of these, 37.0% were cured, followed by 29.0% who defaulted treatment, 22.3% who completed the treatment and 11.7% who died during treatment. The likelihood of successful treatment outcomes was significantly associated with marital status, supervised treatment and distance travelled to a health facility. A higher likelihood of success was observed among patients who were single and 27.0% of those had supervised treatments CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis patients continue to die in the course of treatment. Supervised treatment is a predictor of successful treatment outcomes. CONTRIBUTIONS: This study highlight the need for heightened advocacy for supervised TB treatment and increased effort to combat the death of patients while on TB treatment.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Caracterizar la farmacoterapia de infecciones oportunistas y comorbilidades en pacientes hospitalizados con VIH y sida en el Hospital Universidad del Norte entre el año 2018 y junio de 2023. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de tipo transversal, basado en la recolección de datos clínicos desde 2018 hasta junio de 2023; el enfoque de investigación fue no experimental. La recopilación de datos se realizó en el Hospital Universidad del Norte e incluyó a pacientes diagnosticados con VIH y sida como población objetivo. La muestra, compuesta por 109 pacientes, fue seleccionada a conveniencia, y cumplió con criterios de inclusión predefinidos que requerían que fueran personas mayores de 18 años y que tuvieran un periodo de hospitalización mayor a cuatro días. Los datos clínicos se recopilaron de las historias clínicas y se analizaron utilizando el software SPSS y Microsoft Excel. Resultados: La media de edad de los pacientes fue 43,6 años, mientras que la duración promedio de hospitalización fue 14,9 días por persona. El fluconazol fue el medicamento más usado en el tratamiento de infecciones oportunistas, y fue recetado al 58,5 % de la población de estudio. Para el tratamiento de las comorbilidades, el amlodipino fue el fármaco más frecuente con un 23,1 % de uso en la población estudiada. Las infecciones oportunistas más frecuentes fueron la candidiasis orofaríngea con un 15,43 %, seguida de la neumonía por Pneumocystis jirovecii (PCP) con un 12,75 %, la tuberculosis con un 11,40 % y la toxoplasmosis con un 10,73 %. Asimismo, las comorbilidades más comunes fueron la hipertensión arterial con un 28,94 % y el trastorno depresivo mayor con un 18,42 %. En cuanto al impacto económico de los problemas relacionados con medicamentos (PRM) y los resultados negativos asociados a la medicación (RNM), se registraron costos de $1 223 717 y $5 008 521, respectivamente. Conclusiones: El grupo de edad más susceptible a las infecciones oportunistas se sitúa entre los 40 y 50 años, y el sexo masculino es el más afectado. Se reportó que la mayoría de los pacientes se encontraban en la fase sida, y que sobresalieron aquellos con diagnóstico por antecedente. En el abordaje de las infecciones oportunistas, el fluconazol es el que destaca como el fármaco más utilizado en la población de estudio, seguido del trimetoprim + sulfametoxazol y la combinación de rifampicina+isoniacida+pirazinamida+etambutol. Asimismo, en el tratamiento de las comorbilidades, el amlodipino es el que sobresale entre los medicamentos más usados, seguido por el losartán, la mirtazapina, el levetiracetam y la sertralina.

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the pharmacotherapy for opportunistic infections and comorbidities among hospitalized patients with HIV/AIDS at Hospital Universidad del Norte from 2018 to June 2023. Materials and methods: A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study, focusing on the collection of clinical data from 2018 to June 2023 and using a non-experimental research approach. Data collection was conducted at Hospital Universidad del Norte from patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, which served as the target population. A convenience sample of 109 patients was selected based on predefined inclusion criteria, which required participants to be over 18 years of age and have a hospital stay longer than four days. Clinical data were collected from medical records and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics and Microsoft Excel. Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.6 years, with an average hospital stay of 14.9 days per patient. Fluconazole was the most commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of opportunistic infections, used by 58.5 % of the study population. For comorbidities, amlodipine was the most frequently prescribed medication, used by 23.1 % of the study population. The most prevalent opportunistic infections were oropharyngeal candidiasis (15.43 %), followed by Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) (12.75 %), tuberculosis (11.40 %) and toxoplasmosis (10.73 %). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (28.94 %) and major depressive disorder (18.42 %). The economic impact of medication-related problems (MRPs) and negative medication-related outcomes (NMROs) amounted to associated costs of $1,223,717 and $5,008,521, respectively. Conclusions: The age group most susceptible to opportunistic infections was between 40 and 50 years, with males being the most affected. Most patients were in the AIDS phase, particularly those diagnosed based on medical history. Fluconazole stood out as the most commonly used medication for treating opportunistic infections, followed by the combination of both trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole and rifampicin + isoniazid + pyrazinamide + ethambutol. In the treatment of comorbidities, amlodipine was the most frequently prescribed medication, followed by losartan, mirtazapine, levetiracetam and sertraline.

RESUMEN La encuesta como instrumento de investigación es vital para recopilar y obtener datos de forma ordenada y eficaz. El objetivo del estudio fue validar un instrumento que permita obtener datos confiables y válidos sobre conocimiento, conducta y percepción de pacientes con tuberculosis. El estudio fue descriptivo de corte transversal, con un diseño de validación en dos fases. Primero, el consenso de seis expertos sobre un cuestionario de 21 ítems que evalúa tres dimensiones: conocimiento (12 ítems), conducta (3 ítems) y percepción (6 ítems). Segundo, una prueba piloto con una muestra de 30 pacientes, que evalúa las categorías de suficiencia, claridad, coherencia y relevancia. Para los valores de suficiencia y relevancia, 19 de los 21 ítems (90,5 %) coincidieron, lo que indica un alto nivel de idoneidad y relevancia, con un valor de V de Aiken de 0,981429. En el nivel de claridad, 18 de los 21 ítems (85,7 %) coincidieron, lo que indica un alto nivel de comprensibilidad, con un valor de V de Aiken de 0,970952. En cuanto a la coherencia, 18 de los 21 ítems (85,7 %) coincidieron, lo que indica un alto nivel de consistencia, con un valor de V de Aiken de 0,98381. En lo que respecta a la confiabilidad, el alfa de Cronbach presentó los siguientes valores: 0,95 en conocimiento, 0,83 en conducta y 0,89 en percepción. En conclusión, el instrumento validado en el Hospital Militar Central midió resultados válidos y confiables para el conocimiento, la conducta y percepción de la tuberculosis.

Abstract The survey, as a research instrument, is vital for collecting and obtaining data in an orderly and effective manner. The objective of the study was to validate an instrument for collecting reliable and valid data on the knowledge, behavior and perception of patients with tuberculosis. The study was descriptive and cross-sectional with a design that included validation in two stages. First, consensus was reached among six experts regarding a 21-item questionnaire, which evaluated three dimensions: knowledge (12 items), behavior (3 items) and perception (6 items). Second, a pilot test was conducted with a sample of 30 patients to assess the categories of sufficiency, clarity, coherence and relevance. As to the values of sufficiency and relevance, 19 out of 21 items (90.5 %) matched, indicating a high level of adequacy and relevance, with an Aiken’s V value of 0.981429. At the clarity level, 18 out of 21 items (85.7 %) matched, indicating a high level of comprehensibility, with an Aiken’s V value of 0.970952. As to coherence, 18 out of 21 items (85.7 %) matched, indicating a high level of consistency, with an Aiken’s V value of 0.98381. The reliability, measured by Cronbach’s alpha, was 0.95 for knowledge, 0.83 for behavior and 0.89 for perception. It is concluded that the validated instrument at the Hospital Militar Central measured valid and reliable results regarding the knowledge, behavior and perception of tuberculosis.

Resumo Analisamos a saúde na Amazônia Legal por meio de indicadores de morbimortalidade e comparação intra e interestadual da região e Brasil. Foram utilizados dados secundários de sistemas oficiais de saúde para examinar a situação de saúde, tendências e clusters no período de 2010 a 2021. As doenças do aparelho circulatório foram a principal causa de morte, representando 23% dos óbitos. Causas externas e doenças respiratórias contribuíram com 16% e 9% dos óbitos; 52,6% dos óbitos infantis ocorreram no período neonatal precoce e a taxa de mortalidade infantil manteve-se acima da média nacional. A razão de mortalidade materna também foi elevada e acima da média nacional entre 2010 e 2021. A taxa de incidência de dengue permaneceu abaixo da média nacional com tendência de queda de -59,50%. No entanto, as taxas de doença de chagas, AIDS, hanseníase, leishmaniose tegumentar americana e tuberculose permaneceram acima da média do país. Concluiu-se que a população da Amazônia brasileira enfrenta desafios em relação à saúde, indicando uma situação preocupante. Os achados auxiliam na identificação de prioridades territoriais para a implementação de ações que visem reduzir a morbimortalidade na região.

Abstract We carried out the health situation analysis in the Legal Amazon through morbidity and mortality indicators and the comparison between intra and inter-state federation of the region and Brazil. Analysis of the health situation, trends, and identification of clusters in the Brazilian Amazon, for the period from 2010 to 2021, using secondary data available in official health information systems. Circulatory diseases were the main cause of death, representing 23% of deaths. External causes and respiratory diseases contributed 16% and 9% of deaths, respectively; 52.6% of infant deaths occurred in the early neonatal period, and the infant mortality rate remained above the national average. The ratio of maternal mortality was also high and above the national average between 2010 and 2021. The dengue incidence rate remained below the national average with a drop trend of -59.50%. However, rates of Chagas disease, AIDS, Hansen’s disease, American cutaneous leishmaniasis and tuberculosis remained above average rates in the country. It was concluded that the population of the Brazilian Amazon faces health challenges. The findings facilitate the identification of territorial priorities for the implementation of actions that impact morbidity and mortality reduction in the region.

Resumen Analizamos la salud en la Amazonía Legal utilizando indicadores de morbimortalidad y comparaciones intra e interestatales de la región y Brasil. Se utilizaron datos secundarios de los sistemas de salud oficiales para examinar la situación, las tendencias y los grupos de salud en el período de 2010 a 2021. Las enfermedades del sistema circulatorio fueron la principal causa de muerte, representando el 23% de las muertes. Las causas externas y las enfermedades respiratorias contribuyeron al 16% y al 9% de las muertes; el 52,6% de las muertes infantiles ocurrieron en el período neonatal temprano y la tasa de mortalidad infantil se mantuvo por encima del promedio nacional. La tasa de mortalidad materna también fue alta y superior al promedio nacional entre 2010 y 2021. La tasa de incidencia del dengue se mantuvo por debajo del promedio nacional con una tendencia a la baja del -59,50%. Sin embargo, las tasas de enfermedad de Chagas, SIDA, lepra, leishmaniasis cutánea americana y tuberculosis se mantuvieron por encima del promedio del país. Se concluyó que la población de la Amazonía brasileña enfrenta desafíos en relación a la salud, indicando una situación preocupante. Los hallazgos ayudan a identificar prioridades territoriales para implementar acciones destinadas a reducir la morbilidad y la mortalidad en la región.

Objetivou-se sintetizar as evidências de estudos qualitativos sobre as experiências de tratamento para tuberculose das pessoas em situação de rua. Conduziu-se uma revisão sistemática com metassíntese cuja busca de estudos ocorreu em dez bases de dados, de janeiro a junho de 2023. Identificaram-se 3.801 publicações, das quais cinco foram incluídas. Esta metassíntese refletiu as barreiras enfrentadas pela população em situação de rua durante o tratamento da tuberculose, originadas por uso de drogas, preconceito, ausência de rede de apoio, dificuldades para deslocamento aos estabelecimentos de saúde, não priorização do tratamento e baixa resolutividade dos serviços, que, muitas vezes, negligenciam as singularidades das pessoas atendidas. Em contrapartida, o cuidado integral e humanizado; descentralizado à atenção primária à saúde; e balizado por práticas articuladas e vinculadoras apoiadas pela família promoveu adesão ao tratamento e vinculação às equipes.

El objetivo fue sintetizar las evidencias de estudios cualitativos sobre las experiencias de tratamiento para la tuberculosis de las personas sin hogar. Se realizó una revisión sistemática con metasíntesis, cuya búsqueda de estudios tuvo lugar en diez bases de datos, de enero a junio de 2023. Se identificaron 3.801 publicaciones, de las cuales se incluyeron cinco. Esta metasíntesis reflejó las barreras enfrentadas por la población sin hogar durante el tratamiento de la tuberculosis, originadas por el uso de drogas, los prejuicios, la ausencia de una red de apoyo, las dificultades para el desplazamiento a los establecimientos de salud y la no priorización del tratamiento, además de la baja capacidad de resolución de los servicios que, muchas veces, son negligentes con sus singularidades. En contrapartida, el cuidado integral y humanizado descentralizado de la atención primaria de la salud, delimitado por prácticas articuladas y vinculadoras apoyadas por la familia, promovió adhesión al tratamiento y vínculo con los equipos.

We aimed to synthesize the evidence from qualitative studies on the experiences of tuberculosis treatment among people living on the streets. We conducted a systematic review with meta-synthesis, searching for studies in ten databases from January to June 2023. We identified 3,801 publications, five of which were included in the study. This meta-synthesis reflects the barriers faced by the people living on the streets during tuberculosis treatment. These barriers originate from drug use, prejudice, lack of a support network, difficulties in accessing health establishments, and the low prioritization of treatment. Furthermore, there are issues with service resolution and accessibility, which often neglect the unique needs of these individuals. In contrast, comprehensive and humanized care, decentralized to primary health care, characterized by coordinated practices and family support, promotes access to treatment and strengthens connections with healthcare teams.

Este estudo objetivou analisar o custo-efetividade de três testes cutâneos baseados em antígenos de tuberculose (TB) (Diaskintest, C-TST, Cy-TB) e QFT-Plus para diagnóstico de infecção por TB comparando-os ao padrão de atendimento atual, PPD Rt-23 teste tuberculínico (TT), entre profissionais de saúde no Brasil. Trata-se de um modelo de Markov de transição de estado, simulando uma coorte de profissionais de saúde (cinco ciclos anuais) para testagem e tratamento de infecção por TB com doses semanais de rifapentina e isoniazida por três meses (3HP) sob a perspectiva do sistema público de saúde brasileiro. Os efeitos (TB evitada) e os custos de triagem e tratamento da infecção foram descontados em 5%. O custo-efetividade incremental por TB evitada foi calculado. Foram realizadas análises de sensibilidade unidirecionais e probabilísticas. O Brasil, um país de renda média-alta com alta carga de TB, possui um dos maiores sistemas públicos universais de saúde e oferece diagnóstico e tratamento gratuitos para TB. O TT é o atendimento padrão, o QFT-Plus está disponível para populações de risco muito elevado. Os três novos testes cutâneos estão em validação para eventual incorporação. Uma coorte hipotética de 10 mil profissionais de saúde, trabalhando em qualquer nível de atendimento, e resultados negativos de TT no ano anterior de ambos os sexos com um resultado de TT negativo na linha de base. Diaskintest, C-TST, Cy-TB e QFT-Plus têm maior especificidade. Os custos com o QFT-Plus foram maiores devido: equipamento, mão de obra e custo da testagem. O Diaskintest foi a estratégia de maior economia, seguido pelo Cy-TB para tratamento preventivo da TB com 3HP. No cenário brasileiro, Diaskintest e Cy-TB são os testes mais custo-efetivos para testagem sequencial de profissionais da saúde.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el costo-efectividad de tres pruebas cutáneas basadas en antígenos de tuberculosis (TB) (Diaskintest, C-TST, Cy-TB) y QFT-Plus para diagnosticar la infección por TB comparándolas con el estándar de atención actual, PPD Rt-23 prueba de la tuberculina (TT), entre profesionales de la salud en Brasil. Se trata de un modelo de Markov de transición de estado, que simula una cohorte de profesionales de la salud (cinco ciclos anuales) para pruebas y tratamiento de la infección por TB con dosis semanales de rifapentina e isoniazida durante tres meses (3HP) desde la perspectiva del sistema de salud pública brasileño. Los efectos (TB evitada) y los costos de detección y tratamiento de la infección se descontaron en un 5%. Se calculó el costo-efectividad incremental por TB evitada. Se realizaron análisis de sensibilidad unidireccionales y probabilísticos. Brasil, un país de ingresos medianos altos con una alta carga de TB, tiene uno de los mayores sistemas de salud pública universal y ofrece diagnóstico y tratamiento gratuitos para la TB. El TT es la atención estándar, QFT-Plus está disponible para poblaciones de muy alto riesgo. Las tres nuevas pruebas cutáneas se encuentran en proceso de validación para su eventual incorporación. Una cohorte hipotética de 10.000 profesionales de la salud, trabajando en cualquier nivel de atención, y resultados de TT negativos en el año anterior de ambos sexos con resultado de TT negativo en la línea de base. Diaskintest, C-TST, Cy-TB y QFT-Plus tienen mayor especificidad. Los costos con QFT-Plus fueron mayores debido a: equipo, mano de obra y costo de las pruebas. Diaskintest fue la estrategia más rentable, seguida de Cy-TB para tratamiento preventivo de la TB con 3HP. En el escenario brasileño, Diaskintest y Cy-TB son las pruebas más rentables para realizar pruebas secuenciales a los profesionales de la salud.

This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of three tuberculosis (TB) antigen-based skin tests (TBST) (Diaskintest, C-TST, and Cy-TB) and QFT-Plus for TB infection diagnosis compared to the current standard of care, PPD Rt-23 tuberculin skin test (TST), among healthcare workers in Brazil. A state-transition Markov model was employed, simulating a cohort of healthcare workers (five annual cycles) for testing and treating TB infection with three months of weekly doses of rifapentine and isoniazid (3HP) under the Brazilian public health system perspective. Effects (TB disease averted) and costs for screening and treating TB infection were discounted at 5%. Incremental cost-effectiveness per TB averted was estimated. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed. Brazil, an upper-middle-income country with a high burden of TB, shows one of the largest universal public health systems and provides free-of-charge diagnosis and treatment for TB and TB infection. TST is the standard of care, whereas QFT-Plus is available for very high-risk populations. The three new TBST are under validation for eventual incorporation. Patients or participants: a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 healthcare workers, working at any level of healthcare service, and negative TST results in the previous year of both sexes with a baseline negative TST result. Diaskintest, C-TST, Cy-TB, and QFT-Plus were found to show a higher specificity. Costs with QFT-Plus were higher due to equipment, human labor, and test price. Diaskintest was the most cost-saving strategy, followed by Cy-TB for TB preventive treatment with 3HP. In the Brazilian scenario, Diaskintest and Cy-TB are the most cost-effective tests for sequential testing of healthcare workers.

Resumo Analisamos a saúde na Amazônia Legal por meio de indicadores de morbimortalidade e comparação intra e interestadual da região e Brasil. Foram utilizados dados secundários de sistemas oficiais de saúde para examinar a situação de saúde, tendências e clusters no período de 2010 a 2021. As doenças do aparelho circulatório foram a principal causa de morte, representando 23% dos óbitos. Causas externas e doenças respiratórias contribuíram com 16% e 9% dos óbitos; 52,6% dos óbitos infantis ocorreram no período neonatal precoce e a taxa de mortalidade infantil manteve-se acima da média nacional. A razão de mortalidade materna também foi elevada e acima da média nacional entre 2010 e 2021. A taxa de incidência de dengue permaneceu abaixo da média nacional com tendência de queda de -59,50%. No entanto, as taxas de doença de chagas, AIDS, hanseníase, leishmaniose tegumentar americana e tuberculose permaneceram acima da média do país. Concluiu-se que a população da Amazônia brasileira enfrenta desafios em relação à saúde, indicando uma situação preocupante. Os achados auxiliam na identificação de prioridades territoriais para a implementação de ações que visem reduzir a morbimortalidade na região.

Resumen Analizamos la salud en la Amazonía Legal utilizando indicadores de morbimortalidad y comparaciones intra e interestatales de la región y Brasil. Se utilizaron datos secundarios de los sistemas de salud oficiales para examinar la situación, las tendencias y los grupos de salud en el período de 2010 a 2021. Las enfermedades del sistema circulatorio fueron la principal causa de muerte, representando el 23% de las muertes. Las causas externas y las enfermedades respiratorias contribuyeron al 16% y al 9% de las muertes; el 52,6% de las muertes infantiles ocurrieron en el período neonatal temprano y la tasa de mortalidad infantil se mantuvo por encima del promedio nacional. La tasa de mortalidad materna también fue alta y superior al promedio nacional entre 2010 y 2021. La tasa de incidencia del dengue se mantuvo por debajo del promedio nacional con una tendencia a la baja del -59,50%. Sin embargo, las tasas de enfermedad de Chagas, SIDA, lepra, leishmaniasis cutánea americana y tuberculosis se mantuvieron por encima del promedio del país. Se concluyó que la población de la Amazonía brasileña enfrenta desafíos en relación a la salud, indicando una situación preocupante. Los hallazgos ayudan a identificar prioridades territoriales para implementar acciones destinadas a reducir la morbilidad y la mortalidad en la región.

Abstract We carried out the health situation analysis in the Legal Amazon through morbidity and mortality indicators and the comparison between intra and inter-state federation of the region and Brazil. Analysis of the health situation, trends, and identification of clusters in the Brazilian Amazon, for the period from 2010 to 2021, using secondary data available in official health information systems. Circulatory diseases were the main cause of death, representing 23% of deaths. External causes and respiratory diseases contributed 16% and 9% of deaths, respectively; 52.6% of infant deaths occurred in the early neonatal period, and the infant mortality rate remained above the national average. The ratio of maternal mortality was also high and above the national average between 2010 and 2021. The dengue incidence rate remained below the national average with a drop trend of -59.50%. However, rates of Chagas disease, AIDS, Hansen’s disease, American cutaneous leishmaniasis and tuberculosis remained above average rates in the country. It was concluded that the population of the Brazilian Amazon faces health challenges. The findings facilitate the identification of territorial priorities for the implementation of actions that impact morbidity and mortality reduction in the region.

RESUMO Objetivo: A última edição do Levantamento de Cenas de Uso de Capitais (LECUCA) investigou indicadores de vulnerabilidade social, de saúde e uso de serviços de saúde e assistência entre frequentadores das cenas abertas de uso (CAU) de crack em São Paulo, Fortaleza e Brasília entre 2021/2022. Métodos: Desde 2016, o LECUCA utiliza a amostragem por Tempo-Localização (TLS) para selecionar amostras probabilísticas representativas da população de frequentadores da CAU. Resultados: Foram entrevistados 579 participantes em São Paulo, Fortaleza e Brasília, com índice de resposta de 75%. Os frequentadores das CAUs não se diferenciam nas prevalências de indicadores sociodemográficos e tempo na cena. As prevalências de frequentadores que nunca estiveram em situação de rua antes de viver na CAU e provenientes de casa foram igualmente altas nas três capitais. Fortaleza se destaca com menores índices de situação de rua e de acesso a equipamentos de saúde especializados, enquanto Brasília apresenta índices elevados de busca por emergência devido ao consumo de drogas e maior acesso a todas as modalidades de serviço de saúde e assistência. Mais de um terço dos frequentadores das CAUs pratica sexo desprotegido e nenhuma das capitais teve mais da metade dos frequentadores testados para Tuberculose e Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis (ISTs). Os índices de problemas na gestação foram altos entre todas as capitais, com os menores índices em São Paulo. Conclusão: O LECUCA oferece subsídios importantes para gestores governamentais e institucionais, com o intuito de catalisar o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas e estratégias de atendimento fundamentadas em dados e evidências.

ABSTRACT Objective: The latest edition of the Open Drug Scenes Survey in Brazilian Cities (LECUCA) investigated social vulnerability, health, and the use of the Psychosocial Care Network by attendees of open drug scenes (ODSs) involving crack cocaine in São Paulo, Fortaleza, and Brasília between 2021/2022. Methods: Since 2016, LECUCA has used Time-Location Sampling (TLS) to select probabilistic samples representative of the population of ODS attendees. Results: We interviewed 579 participants in São Paulo, Fortaleza, and Brasília, obtaining a response rate of 75%. We found no difference in ODS attendees regarding the prevalence of sociodemographic indicators and time living in the ODS. The prevalence values of attendees who had never been homeless before living in the ODS and those living in their homes were equally high in the three capitals. Fortaleza stood out for having lower rates of homelessness and limited access to specialized health services, whereas Brasília had high rates of searching for emergency services due to drug use and greater access to all modalities of health and assistance services. Unprotected sex was prevalent over one third of ODSs attendees, and none of the capitals had more than half of the attendees testing for tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections. Rates of pregnancy complications were high in all three capitals, with São Paulo accounting for the lowest rates. Conclusion: LECUCA provides significant subsidies to governmental and institutional managers, aiming at catalyzing the formulation of public policies and care strategies based on data and evidence.

Apesar dos esforços para a redução da incidência, o controle da tuberculose (TB) ainda representa um desafio para a cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a tendência temporal e o efeito das ações de vigilância de TB e do acesso aos serviços de saúde na detecção de casos de TB na cidade do Rio de Janeiro (2014-2022). Realizou-se um estudo ecológico que avaliou todos os casos de TB notificados mensalmente em residentes da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Foi elaborado um modelo de regressão segmentada de joinpoint para identificar pontos de mudança na tendência de notificações e calcular a variação percentual mensal. Modelos aditivos generalizados foram utilizados para avaliar o efeito da implantação do teste rápido molecular, das ações de vigilância de TB e da cobertura de atenção primária na detecção de casos de TB. De janeiro de 2014 a dezembro de 2022, houve uma mediana de 677 casos de TB por mês, com uma variação mensal ascendente, de 0,49% (IC95%: 0,19; 0,79) de janeiro de 2014 a agosto de 2017 e de 0,72% (IC95%: 0,16; 1,29) de dezembro de 2020 a dezembro de 2022. Nos modelos múltiplos, o número de visitas domiciliares e o percentual da cobertura de atenção primária estiveram associados à notificação dos casos de TB. Conclui-se que o acesso aos serviços de atenção primária e o aumento das visitas domiciliares são essenciais para ampliar a detecção de casos de TB na cidade do Rio de Janeiro por meio do teste rápido molecular.

A pesar de los esfuerzos para reducir la incidencia de tuberculosis (TB), su control sigue siendo un desafío para la ciudad de Río de Janeiro, Brasil. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron analizar la tendencia temporal y el efecto de las acciones de vigilancia de la TB y el acceso a los servicios de salud en la detección de casos de TB en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro (2014-2022). Se realizó un estudio ecológico para evaluar todos los casos de TB reportados mensualmente en residentes de la ciudad de Río de Janeiro. Se desarrolló un modelo de regresión joinpoint segmentado para identificar puntos de cambio en la tendencia de informes y calcular el cambio porcentual mensual. Se utilizaron modelos aditivos generalizados para evaluar el efecto de la implementación de la prueba molecular rápida, las acciones de vigilancia de la TB y la cobertura de atención primaria en la detección de casos de TB. De enero del 2014 a diciembre del 2022, hubo una mediana de 677 casos de TB por mes, con una variación mensual al alza del 0,49% (IC95%: 0,19; 0,79) de enero del 2014 a agosto del 2017 y del 0,72% (IC95%: 0,16; 1,29) de diciembre del 2020 a diciembre del 2022. En los modelos múltiples, el número de visitas domiciliarias y el porcentual de la cobertura de atención primaria se asociaron con la notificación de casos de TB. El acceso a los servicios de atención primaria y el aumento de las visitas domiciliarias son esenciales para aumentar la detección de casos de TB en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro mediante la prueba molecular rápida.

Despite efforts to reduce its incidence, tuberculosis (TB) control still challenges the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This study aimed to analyze the temporal trend and effect of TB surveillance and access to health services on the detection of TB cases in Rio de Janeiro (2014-2022). This ecological study evaluated all cases of TB that were reported monthly in residents of Rio de Janeiro. A segmented joinpoint regression model was developed to identify points of change in the trend of notifications and calculate monthly percentage changes. Generalized additive models were used to evaluate the effect of implementing the rapid molecular test, TB surveillance actions, and primary care coverage in the detection of TB cases. The period from January 2014 to December 2022 showed a median of 677 cases of TB per month, with an increasing monthly variation of 0.49% (95%CI: 0.19; 0.79) from January 2014 to August 2017 and of 0.72% (95%CI: 0.16; 1.29) from December 2020 to December 2022. The multiple models associated the number of home visits and percentage of primary care coverage with the notification of TB cases. Access to primary care services and the increase in home visits are essential to expand the detection of TB cases in Rio de Janeiro by the rapid molecular test.

BACKGROUND: Community health workers (CHWs) work with community members who experience various health problems. They assist community members to lead a healthy life and achieve an acceptable health status. To achieve this, there is a need for CHWs to apply Ubuntu philosophy when providing care related tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess CHW's knowledge of Ubuntu-informed Care in tuberculosis, HIV, and AIDS Services in Gauteng province, South Africa. METHOD: A total of 380 CHWs were recruited from a district in Gauteng province to participate in a training on the management of TB, HIV and AIDS. A questionnaire with 40 multiple choice questions was administered to the CHWs before the training. SPSS version 28 was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: The scores ranged from 9 to 33 out of 40 (M = 21.6, s.d. = 4.2). Out of the 380 participants, 274 (72.1%) passed the pretest while 106 participants (27.9%) failed. The highest mean scores were achieved by female participants (M = 21.6, s.d. = 4.3), participants aged 21-30 years (M = 21.8, s.d. = 4.1) and participants with additional course qualification after Grade 12 (M = 23.5, s.d. = 3.4 CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the need for targeted training interventions to improve the knowledge of CHWs on TB, HIV and AIDS. CONTRIBUTION: This study adds to the literature on the need for inclusion of Ubuntu when caring for people living with HIV and TB.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To explore the spatial distribution of bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination coverage and tuberculosis cases in Brazilian children under the age of ten in the last two decades. METHODS: This is a population-based ecological study using data from the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN – Information System for Notifiable Diseases) from January 2001 to December 2022. We investigated tuberculosis incidence and vaccination coverage in all Brazilian municipalities. Spatial dependence was analyzed by the Global Moran Index and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA). Joinpoint regression was used to assess trends in tuberculosis and BCG rates over time. RESULTS: The results indicated 39,840 pediatric tuberculosis cases, with 60.65% in children under the age of five. The highest incidence rates were in the states of Amazonas, Mato Grosso, and Rio de Janeiro. Spatial analysis showed significant positive spatial autocorrelation in pediatric tuberculosis cases, with high-high clusters in several states and municipalities. Tuberculosis cases in children under five have been declining since 2000 but rose in 2020 (APC = 26.64; p-value = 0.032). An earlier increase was observed in children up to ten years old, starting six years prior. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the decline in BCG vaccination coverage below 90%, with the most significant drop in 2020, particularly in the Northeast. The findings underscore the need for high maintain vaccination coverage and robust public health policies to mitigate tuberculosis in children. Addressing these issues requires targeted public health interventions, especially in regions with higher tuberculosis burdens.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze efficiency in primary health care in Brazilian state capitals in the period 2008–2019, considering the management model: direct public administration or administration assigned to third parties. METHODS This is an evaluative study with an analytical objective, using publicly available secondary data, analyzed cross-sectionally (2019) and longitudinally (2008, 2012, 2016, and 2019). Demographic and socioeconomic data and seven indicators related to primary health care were used to characterize the cities and their primary health care (primary care coverage, hospitalizations for primary care-sensitive conditions, tuberculosis cures, infant, maternal, and premature mortality due to chronic conditions, incidence of congenital syphilis). To these indicators were added health and primary health care expenditures and data envelopment analysis focused on outputs (without admitting a reduction in expenditures) to calculate efficiency in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2019. The Malmquist index was used to identify possible productivity gains between 2008 and 2019. RESULTS Four capitals identified as being managed by third parties (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, and Fortaleza) did not achieve greater efficiency compared to direct public administration, nor did they evolve when comparing their own results over time. In 2019, and in the longitudinal approach, only capitals managed by direct public administration obtained the maximum relative efficiency index in the comparison between capitals. Twelve capitals with direct public administration remained efficient in all years, while those with third-party administration consistently showed weak inefficiency in primary health care, i.e. in the period studied, the relationship between investments in primary health care and results obtained is lower than that achieved by the efficient capitals. CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence of efficiency gains with the adoption of third-party management. It should be noted that productive efficiency does not necessarily mean that health needs are met.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Analisar a eficiência na atenção primária à saúde das capitais brasileiras no período 2008–2019, considerando o modelo de gestão: administração pública direta ou administração cedida a terceiros. MÉTODOS Estudo de propósito avaliativo, objetivo analítico, com dados secundários de acesso público, analisados em recorte transversal (2019) e longitudinal (2008, 2012, 2016 e 2019). Para caracterizar as cidades e sua atenção primária à saúde, utilizaram-se dados demográficos, socioeconômicos e sete indicadores relacionados à atenção primária à saúde (cobertura em atenção básica, internações por condições sensíveis à atenção básica, cura de tuberculose, mortalidade infantil, materna e prematura por condições crônicas, incidência de sífilis congênita). A esses indicadores foram acrescidos os de gastos em saúde e em atenção primária à saúde e realizou-se a análise envoltória de dados voltada a outputs (sem admitir redução de gastos) para cálculo da eficiência em 2008, 2012, 2016 e 2019. Com o índice de Malmquist, buscou-se identificar possíveis ganhos de produtividade entre 2008 e 2019. RESULTADOS Quatro capitais identificadas como de administração cedida a terceiros (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre e Fortaleza) não obtiveram maior eficiência perante a administração pública direta, tampouco evoluíram quando comparados os seus próprios resultados no tempo. Em 2019, e na abordagem longitudinal, apenas capitais de gestão por administração pública direta obtiveram índice máximo de eficiência relativa na comparação entre as capitais. Doze capitais em administração pública direta mantiveram-se eficientes em todos os anos, ao passo que as em administração cedida a terceiros apresentaram, consistentemente, ineficiência fraca em atenção primária à saúde, ou seja, no período estudado, a relação entre investimentos na atenção primária à saúde e resultados obtidos é inferior ao alcançado pelas capitais eficientes. CONCLUSÕES Não encontramos evidências de ganhos de eficiência com a adoção de administração cedida a terceiros. Ressalte-se que a eficiência produtiva não representa, necessariamente, o atendimento de necessidades de saúde.