Barriers That Interfere with Access to Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment across Countries Globally: A Systematic Review.

This study evaluated the barriers that interfere with access to diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) from the perspective of the patient and health professionals globally. Using the PICo acronym, the question we asked was "What are the barriers that interfere with access to tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment (I) from the perspective of patients and/or health professionals (P) across countries globally (Co)?". We searched the following databases: EMBASE, Scopus, MEDLINE, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), and Web of Science. On Rayyan, duplicates were removed and extraction was done afterward by two authors independently, followed by a tiebreaker. Using a Critical Appraisal Tool proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute, the methodological quality of the article was assessed. From 36 published articles, the barriers to tuberculosis diagnosis as obtained from our study include information scarcity/low TB knowledge, exorbitant cost of transport, sample collection challenges, long distance to health facility, gender limitations, lack of decentralized diagnostic services, payment for diagnosis and testing, medication side effects, multiple visits during therapy, delayed diagnosis, poor human resources, low knowledge of medical practitioners, concerns regarding the efficacy of treatment, poor facility coordination, poor socioeconomic factors, fear and stigmatization of TB, and wrong initial diagnosis. The review of studies on TB diagnosis and treatment barriers evidences the diverse barriers to the eradication of tuberculosis. Eliminating these barriers is an onus that lies on policy makers, citizens, and health workers alike, with the joint aim of reducing the global TB burden.

International Migration, Refugees, and Spread of Tuberculosis in Brazil: Analysis of Clusters, Trends, and Associated Factors (2010-2021).

BACKGROUND: International migration is a global phenomenon with significant implications on the health-disease process due to exposures along transit routes and local/destination epidemiological indicators. We aimed to analyze the transmission and spread of tuberculosis among international migrants and refugees from a spatiotemporal perspective and the associated factors. METHOD: This was an ecological study of cases of tuberculosis in international migrants in Brazil, between 2010 and 2021. Annual incidence rates were calculated and spatiotemporal scan techniques were used to identify municipalities at risk. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with tuberculosis in international migrants. RESULTS: A total of 4037 cases of tuberculosis were reported in Brazil in international migrants. Municipalities at risk for this event were identified using the spatiotemporal scan technique, and a cluster was identified with ITT: +52.01% and ETT: +25.60%. A higher probability of TB infection was identified in municipalities with a TB incidence rate >14.40 cases/100 inhabitants, population >11,042 inhabitants, Gini index >0.49, and illiteracy rate >13.12%. A lower probability was found in municipalities with average per capita household income >BRL 456.43. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that health authorities implement monitoring and rigorous follow-up in affected areas to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment completion for international migrants, preventing disease spread to other communities.

Unsuccessful tuberculosis treatment outcomes across Brazil's geographical landscape before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: are we truly advancing toward the sustainable development/end TB goal?

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is one of the most significant infectious diseases for global public health. The reallocation of healthcare resources and the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have hindered access to TB diagnosis and treatment. Increases in unfavorable outcomes of the disease have been observed in Brazil. The objective of this study was to analyze the spatial distribution of unfavorable TB treatment outcomes in Brazil before and during the pandemic. METHODS: An ecological study with spatial analysis was conducted with all 5569 municipalities in Brazil. All reported cases of tuberculosis between January 2010 and December 2021, as well as reported cases of COVID-19 from February 2020 to December 2021, were included. The outcomes studied encompass loss to follow-up, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and death. The Getis Ord GI* technique was employed to assess spatial association, and the Kernel density estimator was used to identify areas with concentrated increases or decreases in outcomes. Bivariate Local Moran's I was used to examine the spatial association between outcomes and COVID-19 incidence. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Ribeirão Preto Nursing School, University of São Paulo. RESULTS: There were 134,394 cases of loss to follow-up, 10,270 cases of drug resistance, and 37,863 deaths. Clusters of high and low values were identified for all three outcomes, indicating significant changes in the spatial distribution patterns. Increases in concentrations were observed for lost to follow-up cases in the Southeast, while reductions occurred in the Northeast, South, and Midwest. Drug-resistant tuberculosis experienced an increase in the Southern and Southeastern regions and a decrease in the Northeast and South. TB-related deaths showed notable concentrations in the Midwest, Northeast, South, and Southeast. There was an increase in high occurrence clusters for deaths after 2020 and 2021 in the Northeast. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic has brought additional challenges, emphasizing the importance of enhancing efforts and disease control strategies, prioritizing early identification, treatment adherence, and follow-up. This commitment is vital for achieving the goal of tuberculosis elimination.

Digital health for treatment adherence in people with tuberculosis: a systematic review / Saúde digital para a adesão ao tratamento da pessoa com tuberculose: uma revisão sistemática / Salud digital para la adherencia al tratamiento en personas con tuberculosis: una revisión sistemática

Justifications and Objectives: the use of digital health, among people diagnosed with tuberculosis, can be an effective strategy, combined with health services, to increase adherence to treatment and impact the disease's epidemiological data in the country. As this topic has been widely discussed and improved in recent years, it is necessary to further investigate the research available on scientific bases. The objective of this study was to describe the use of digital health technologies to assist with adherence to tuberculosis treatment. Methods: this is a systematic literature review with a rapid review approach, following the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane guide. Evidence quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The studies were identified in PubMed, VHL, CINAHL, Cochrane Trial, SciELO, Scopus and Embase. Experimental, quasi-experimental studies and clinical trials were included, without language restrictions, published between 2020 and 2022. Content: nine studies were selected, which demonstrated that the implementation of digital technologies improved adherence rates to medication treatment and cure rates. Applications use strategies such as synchronous and asynchronous video, voice calls and text messages. Among the studies, only two technology/application names were mentioned. Conclusion: digital technologies have had a positive impact on the treatment of people diagnosed with tuberculosis.(AU)

Justificativas e Objetivos: a utilização da saúde digital, junto às pessoas diagnosticadas com a tuberculose, pode ser uma estratégia eficaz, aliada dos serviços de saúde, para aumentar a adesão ao tratamento e impactar os dados epidemiológicos da doença no país. Como esse tema tem sido amplamente discutido e aprimorado nos últimos anos, é necessário investigar mais a fundo as pesquisas disponíveis nas bases científicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o uso de tecnologias em saúde digital para auxiliar na adesão ao tratamento da tuberculose. Método: trata-se de revisão sistemática da literatura com abordagem de revisão rápida, seguindo as diretrizes do PRISMA e o guia da Cochrane. A qualidade das evidências foi realizada utilizando a ferramenta Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Os estudos foram identificados nas bases de dados PubMed, BVS, CINAHL, Cochrane Trial, SciELO, Scopus e Embase. Foram incluídos estudos experimentais, quase-experimentais e ensaios clínicos, sem restrição de idioma, publicados entre 2020 e 2022. Conteúdo: foram selecionados nove estudos, que demonstraram que a implementação de tecnologias digitais melhorou as taxas de adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso e as taxas de cura. Os aplicativos utilizam estratégias como vídeo síncrono e assíncrono, chamadas de voz e mensagens de texto. Entre os estudos, apenas dois nomes de tecnologia/aplicativo foram mencionados. Conclusão: as tecnologias digitais têm impactado de forma positiva no tratamento das pessoas com diagnóstico de tuberculose.(AU)

Justificaciones y objetivos: el uso de la salud digital entre las personas diagnosticadas con tuberculosis puede ser una estrategia eficaz y aliada de los servicios de salud para aumentar la adherencia al tratamiento e impactar los datos epidemiológicos de la enfermedad en el país. 3. Método: se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura con un enfoque de revisión rápida, siguiendo las pautas de PRISMA y la guía de Cochrane. La calidad de la evidencia se evaluó utilizando la herramienta Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Los estudios se identificaron en las siguientes bases de datos: PubMed, BVS, CINAHL, Cochrane Trial, SciELO, Scopus y Embase. Se incluyeron estudios experimentales, cuasiexperimentales y ensayos clínicos, sin restricciones de idioma, publicados entre 2020 y 2022. Contenido: se seleccionaron nueve estudios que demostraron que la implementación de tecnologías digitales mejoró las tasas de adherencia al tratamiento con medicamentos y las tasas de curación. Las aplicaciones utilizan estrategias como video sincrónico y asincrónico, llamadas de voz y mensajes de texto. Entre los estudios, sólo se mencionaron dos nombres de tecnologías/aplicaciones. Conclusión: las tecnologías digitales han tenido un impacto positivo en el tratamiento de personas diagnosticadas con tuberculosis.(AU)

Factors associated with status and self-perceived mental health changes in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

The SARS-CoV-2-triggered Public Health Emergency of International Importance has significantly contributed to emotional and mental health issues. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with self-perceived mental health changes while facing the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study that collected data via a web survey using a validated instrument. The study included individuals over 18 years old residing in the 26 federal units and the Federal District from August 2020 to November 2022. The sample was recruited using the snowball technique. Two logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with the outcomes of interest. The first analysis considered individuals who rated their mental health condition as poor as the dependent variable, while the second analysis considered individuals who reported changes in their mental health during the pandemic as the dependent variable. The study found that individuals with complete college education and those using tranquilizers or antidepressants were more likely to perceive their mental health as poor (1.97 and 2.04 times higher likelihood, respectively). Increased consumption of ultra-processed foods during the pandemic was associated with a 2.49 higher likelihood of reporting mental health changes. Participants also reported more difficulty sleeping. The negative self-perception of mental health varied across Brazil's regions and changed over time, with different patterns observed before and after the vaccination period. In 2022, most regions of Brazil classified their mental health as "poor." The study highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, with increased prevalence of mental disorders and emotional problems among the population. The results highlight the presence of mental disorders and increased reporting of emotional problems among the population due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis Indicators in Brazil: A Time Series and Spatial Analysis Study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to visualize and classify the time series of COVID-19, tuberculosis (TB) notification, and TB outcomes (cure, treatment abandonment, and death), verify the impact of the new coronavirus pandemic on these indices in Brazil, and verify the presence of spatial autocorrelation between COVID-19 and TB. METHODS: This was an ecological time series study that considered TB and COVID-19 cases. Seasonal Trend Decomposition using Loess (STL) was used to trace the temporal trend, Prais-Winsten was used to classify the temporal trend, Interrupted Time Series (ITS) was used to verify the impact of COVID-19 on TB rates, and the Bivariate Moran Index (Global and Local) was used to verify the spatial autocorrelation of events. RESULTS: Brazil and its macro-regions showed an increasing temporal trend for the notification of TB in the pre-pandemic period. Only the Northeast Region showed a decreasing temporal trend for cured cases. For treatment abandonment, all regions except for the Northeast showed an increasing temporal trend, and regarding death, Brazil and the Northeast Region showed an increasing temporal trend. With the ITS, COVID-19 caused a decline in TB notification rates and TB outcome rates. With the global spatial analysis, it was possible to identify the existence of spatial autocorrelation between the notification rate of COVID-19 and the TB notification rate and deaths. With the local analysis, it was possible to map the Brazilian municipalities and classify them according to the relationship between the rates of both diseases and space. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 influenced the follow-up of and adherence to TB treatment and intensified social vulnerability and, consequently, affected the notification of TB since the relationship between the disease and social determinants of health is already known. The restoration and strengthening of essential services for the prevention and detection of cases and treatment of TB in endemic environments such as Brazil have been oriented as a priority in the global health agenda.

Tuberculosis among People Living on the Street and Using Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illegal Drugs: Analysis of Territories in Extreme Vulnerability and Trends in Southern Brazil.

(1) Background: Tuberculosis presents an epidemiological trend toward inequality, especially among people in social exclusion and situations of vulnerability. This study aimed to analyze territories with a concentration of people diagnosed with tuberculosis in a street situation and who partake in chronic use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. We also analyzed trends in this health condition in southern Brazil. (2) Methods: Ecological study, developed in the 399 municipalities of Paraná, southern Brazil, with all tuberculosis cases in the homeless population registered in the Information System of Notifiable Diseases between 2014 and 2018. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics, the Prais-Winsten autoregression method for the time series, and the Getis-Ord Gi technique* for spatial analysis. (3) Results: in total, 560 cases were reported. We found a predominance of alcohol, smoking, and illicit drug users, with an increasing trend in the state and clusters of spatial risk in the East health macro-region. (4) Conclusions: We observed territories with critical levels of highly vulnerable people who use psychoactive substances and are in a street situation. The results highlight the importance of incorporating public policies of social protection for these individuals and resolutive health services that receive these cases and assist in eradicating TB.