ABSTRACT Global efforts to eliminate tuberculosis by 2050 continue to challenge health systems. In countries with low reported tuberculosis incidence, such as the USA (3.1/100,000 population) and Cuba (6.9/100,000), differences in classification by income level and health systems’ overall organizational structure are evident. However, the two countries’ low tuberculosis incidence, geographic proximity, robust research capacity and shared health priority for tuberculosis elimination provide fertile territory to strengthen collaboration for tuberculosis control in clinical, laboratory and community settings. Two tuberculosis symposia in Cuba—one at the Cuba Salud Convention in 2015 and the other at the International Forum on Hygiene and Epidemiology in 2016—were instrumental in stimulating dialogue on continued efforts towards eliminating tuberculosis by 2050. In this article, we describe tuberculosis burden in the USA and Cuba, critically analyze strengths and challenges experienced in areas of low tuberculosis incidence and provide recommendations for future institutional collaboration to support tuberculosis elimination and improved population health.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever as recomendações dos profissionais da saúde para reforçar a adesão às práticas de controle de infecção por Mycobacterium tuberculosis nas instituições de saúde e outros locais na República Dominicana. Métodos Estudo qualitativo realizado com 10 grupos de discussão, ao todo 40 profissionais da área clínica (24 médicos, 16 enfermeiros), em duas instituições de nível terciário na República Dominicana em 2016. A análise foi baseada em teoria fundamentada para expandir as recomendações dos profissionais da saúde a fim de habilitar o pessoal da área clínica a aderir às práticas de controle da infecção por M. tuberculosis. Para assegurar a confiabilidade e a validade dos dados, os autores analisaram as informações e incluíram um processo de revisão com especialistas em pesquisa qualitativa (peer debriefing) e observações ou validação dos participantes sobre os temas finais. Resultados Seis temas emergentes foram descritos: 1) educação e capacitação, 2) política administrativa, 3) política de infraestrutura, 4) alocações financeiras, 5) pesquisa e 6) política de saúde pública. Conclusões Iniciativas futuras podem combinar as recomendações dos profissionais da saúde com estratégias baseadas em evidências para o controle de infecção por M. tuberculosis em locais com poucos recursos. Isso poderia abrir o caminho para intervenções que habilitam os profissionais da saúde a empregar medidas de controle de infecção por M. tuberculosis na prática clínica.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe health care workers' practical recommendations for strengthening adherence to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection control practices in their health institutions and elsewhere across the Dominican Republic. Methods In this qualitative study, 10 focus groups, with a total of 40 clinicians (24 physicians, 16 nurses), were conducted in 2016 at two tertiary-level institutions in the Dominican Republic. Grounded theory guided the analysis to expand on health care workers' recommendations for empowering clinicians to adhere to M. tuberculosis infection control practices. To ensure reliability and validity, the authors analyzed data and incorporated both peer debriefing with qualitative experts and participant feedback or validation on the final themes. Results Six emerging themes were described: 1) education and training; 2) administrative policy; 3) infrastructure policy; 4) economic allocations; 5) research; and 6) public health policy. Conclusions Future efforts may combine the health care workers' recommendations with evidence-based strategies in M. tuberculosis infection control in low-resource settings. This could pave the way for interventions that empower health care workers in their application of M. tuberculosis infection control measures in clinical practice.

RESUMEN Objetivo Definir las recomendaciones prácticas de los trabajadores de salud para consolidar la adhesión a las prácticas de control de la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis en instituciones de salud y otros lugares de la República Dominicana. Métodos En este estudio cualitativo, se organizaron 10 grupos de debate, con un total de 40 trabajadores clínicos (24 médicos, 16 enfermeras), en dos instituciones de nivel terciario de la República Dominicana en el 2016. El análisis para ampliar las recomendaciones de los trabajadores de salud a fin de estimular a los trabajadores clínicos a adherirse a las prácticas de control de la infección por M. tuberculosis se basó en teoría fundamentada. Para garantizar la fiabilidad y validez de los resultados, los autores analizaron los datos e incorporaron el asesoramiento sobre el diseño y el análisis del estudio a cargo de expertos cualitativos y la verificación de la información con los participantes sobre los temas finales. Resultados Se encontraron seis temas emergentes: 1) educación y capacitación; 2) política administrativa; 3) política de infraestructura; 4) asignaciones económicas; 5) investigación; y 6) política de salud pública. Conclusiones En iniciativas futuras para el control de la infección por M. tuberculosis en entornos de escasos recursos, se pueden combinar las recomendaciones de los trabajadores de salud con estrategias basadas en evidencia. De esta forma se podría allanar el camino para llevar a cabo intervenciones que ayuden a los trabajadores de salud a aplicar las medidas de control de la infección por M. tuberculosis en la práctica clínica.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Mosquito-transmitted dengue remains an endemic threat to population health in various tropical and subtropical regions. Recommended dengue prevention practices focus on vector control and reducing human–mosquito interactions, by practices such as removing standing water, wearing protective clothing and using repellent, as well as seeking medical care when symptomatic. Health workers in the community educate and empower citizens about recommended prevention practices, and thus are indispensable in implementing national dengue initiatives at the local level. However, their health messages may not resonate with all community members, resulting in low adherence to recommended prevention practices. Understanding the factors associated with low adherence to dengue prevention and control measures is essential for strengthening national dengue initiatives. OBJECTIVE Identify health workers’ perceived challenges for dengue prevention and control strategies and describe their recommendations for strengthening dengue control in the Dominican Republic. METHODS From January through March 2005, a qualitative study was conducted in five provinces of the Dominican Republic. Based on literature review and consultations with clinical specialists, a semistructured interview guide of nine questions was designed. A purposive sample of 19 health workers (10 men, 9 women) was interviewed, including public health practitioners, entomologists, educators, clinicians and an administrator. Question topics included occupational experiences in dengue prevention and control; views on vector control in communities; perceived challenges for citizens’ adherence to recommended practices; and suggested measures for strengthening adherence to vector control at local and national levels. Thematic analysis was used to identify salient themes. RESULTS Health workers described the following perceived challenges: 1) limited individual economic resources; 2) individual lack of awareness, education or action; 3) limited cohesion among community members; and 4) limitations in sustainability of government interventions. They made 14 recommendations related to the 4 perceived challenges. CONCLUSIONS These findings evince the complex interplay of economic, environmental, health, political and social factors that can directly or indirectly influence individual and community adherence to recommended dengue prevention measures. By understanding how these intrinsic and extrinsic factors hinder adherence, health authorities can adapt national policies to strengthen community participatory action in vector control, empower leadership potential by health workers and community members, and provide an appropriate systemic approach to preventing disease transmission.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Health care workers have an increased risk of infection due to occupational Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure, including multidrug-resistant strains. Health care workers’ risk of developing tuberculosis is greater than that of the general population, whether in low-, intermediate- or high-incidence countries. Adherence to infection control measures (administrative controls, environmental controls, and personal respiratory protection) is essential to reduce risk of disease transmission between suspected tuberculosis patients and health care workers, but for different reasons, both objective and subjective, adherence is low. Identifying the causes of low adherence is a prerequisite to effective programming to reduce risk. OBJECTIVE Identify perceived barriers to adherence to tuberculosis infection control measures among health care workers in the Dominican Republic. METHODS During August 2014, a qualitative study was conducted in two tertiary-level hospitals in different regions of the Dominican Republic. A semi-structured interview guide of nine questions was developed, based on the scientific literature and with consensus of clinical experts. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of seven physicians (five men, two women) and two baccalaureate nurses (both women) working in the emergency medicine, internal medicine or nursing departments of those institutions. Question topics included clinical experience of M. tuberculosis infection and disease; knowledge of disease transmission and preventive practices; clinical management strategies; and perceptions of effectiveness of directly observed treatment, short-course, and disease coping strategies. RESULTS Perceived barriers were described as: 1) sense of invincibility of health care workers; 2) personal beliefs of health care workers related to direct patient communication; 3) low provider-to-patient ratios in hospitals; 4) absence of tuberculosis isolation units for patients within hospitals; and 5) limited availability of protective masks for health care workers. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight that perceived barriers at the individual or institutional level may hinder how health care workers understand and comply with preventive strategies to reduce risk of tuberculosis transmission. Addressing these barriers by strengthening infection control program infrastructure and implementing educational interventions within institutions may reduce risk of nosocomial tuberculosis transmission to health care workers.