Primary Health Care and Tuberculosis Detection during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Crucial Actions for Intensifying Efforts

Stephanie Ribeiro (), Erika Mayumi Takahashi, Katia Lacerda de Souza, Thais Tiemi Yamamoto, Raquel Russo Leite, Hugo Fernandes, Meiry Fernanda Pinto Okuno, Maria Rita Bertolozzi, Tânia Maria Ribeiro Monteiro de Figueiredo, Roxana Isabel Cardozo Gonzales and Paula Hino
Additional contact information
Stephanie Ribeiro: Department of Collective Health, Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04024-002, São Paulo, Brazil
Erika Mayumi Takahashi: Department of Collective Health, Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04024-002, São Paulo, Brazil
Katia Lacerda de Souza: Department of Collective Health, Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04024-002, São Paulo, Brazil
Thais Tiemi Yamamoto: Municipal Health Secretariat of São Paulo, Health Surveillance Coordination, São Paulo 01223-010, São Paulo, Brazil
Raquel Russo Leite: Municipal Health Secretariat of São Paulo, Health Surveillance Coordination, São Paulo 01223-010, São Paulo, Brazil
Hugo Fernandes: Department of Collective Health, Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04024-002, São Paulo, Brazil
Meiry Fernanda Pinto Okuno: Department of Collective Health, Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04024-002, São Paulo, Brazil
Maria Rita Bertolozzi: Department of Public Health Nursing, School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, São Paulo, Brazil
Tânia Maria Ribeiro Monteiro de Figueiredo: Department of Nursing, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande 58109-753, Paraíba, Brazil
Roxana Isabel Cardozo Gonzales: Faculty of Nursing, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-080, Goiás, Brazil
Paula Hino: Department of Collective Health, Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04024-002, São Paulo, Brazil

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: Background: Tuberculosis has been considered a global emergency since 1993, and controlling it has become even more challenging since 2020 due to the health and social crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis case detection activities within primary health Care in the largest city in Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study on the provision of tuberculosis detection actions in primary healthcare units during the pandemic period. A descriptive analysis was performed for characterization, and Generalized Mixed Models were used for evaluating associations, with a Bonferroni post hoc test applied. Results: The study sample comprised 80 health units in the municipality. There was a moderate alteration level in the provision of consultations for individuals with signs and symptoms of tuberculosis in 2020 (13.8%) and in 2021 (15.1%). Statistical significance ( p < 0.05) was found between the pandemic period and detection actions, with a lower alteration level in 2022. Conclusions: Tuberculosis detection activities underwent changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly in 2020, which was associated with alterations in consultation and case notification provision.

Keywords: public health; tuberculosis; coronavirus; primary health care; health vulnerability; health services research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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