Management capacity of primary health care for tuberculosis control in different regions of Brazil

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the management capacity of primary health care for tuberculosis control. Method: cross-sectional study. Population: primary health care professional active in tuberculosis control. Data collection: instrument and questionnaire based on evaluation proposal of local institutional capacity for the chronic illness care model, adapted for tuberculosis care. In the data analysis, the mean score of answers to each instrument question was calculated and multiple correspondence analysis was applied. Results: in primary health care, the management capacity for tuberculosis control presented unfavorable results for: scheduling the tuberculosis treatment medical consultation and laboratory tests in computerized registration system, non-use of formal and written communication for the referral of tuberculosis cases. In addition, the community health worker does not interact with the service team and does not articulate with the community resources. Expert support and health professional training for tuberculosis treatment are limited. Conclusion: the organizational capacity of the primary care services in the investigated cities presents a negative assessment for the access to the monitoring/surveillance systems, planning, training and community articulation for tuberculosis controls, aspects that influence the feasibility of the policies for changes in the care model for tuberculosis as a chronic condition.