Abstract
The study objective is to describe patients and professionals’ perspectives on the Tuberculosis Control Program (PCT) in Recife, Brazil, contributing to the program evaluation. A cross-sectional study was conducted in three purposively selected sites, representing the three levels of care in the public health system. All eligible PCT patients in sites A, B and C were invited to participate (n = 123). Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and community health agents providing care to PCT patients in these sites, plus their managers, were purposively selected. Data were collected by means of interviews with 44 patients and a questionnaire to 24 professionals. Instruments encompassed previously published items to capture stakeholders’ perspectives (16 and 12 closed-questions, respectively), grouped into categories. The overall evaluation by patients was unsatisfactory (median score 35%; third quartile below 50%; interquartile range 21.9%). Analysis of scores by categories showed that opinions about organizational accessibility were significantly worse than about economic and geographical accessibility, taken together. Overall the median score attributed by professionals was 52% (third quartile below 65%). Professionals had significantly worse opinions about diagnosis, clinical and laboratory assistance. Patients and professionals’ perspectives highlight potential opportunities for improvement. Our findings can be used by managers as a starting point for shared decision-making, potentially contributing to a better performance of the PCT in Recife and, consequently, reducing the risk posed by tuberculosis.
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) is currently the second leading cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide, after human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [1]
Tuberculosis Control Program (PNCT), which is developed in the public network of the health system (Sistema Único de Saúde—SUS)
In 2001, TB management became decentralized and the responsibility of PNCT actions was attributed to primary health care
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is currently the second leading cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide, after human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [1]. It remains a major health problem, especially in Pharmacy 2019, 7, 70; doi:10.3390/pharmacy7020070 www.mdpi.com/journal/pharmacy. Tuberculosis Control Program (PNCT), which is developed in the public network of the health system (Sistema Único de Saúde—SUS). In 2001, TB management became decentralized and the responsibility of PNCT actions was attributed to primary health care. These actions can be implemented in these sites, via Basic Health Units (UBS) or by referring persons with TB to outpatient units; health professionals at different care levels are involved. Public health units staff includes pharmacists, who have direct patient contact; part of their role is dispensing TB medication
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