Acesso equitativo a vacinas: lições aprendidas e perspectivas futuras / Equal access to vaccines: lessons learned and future perspectives

Resumo A vacinação é um componente essencial da atenção primária à saúde e do enfrentamento de emergências em saúde. No entanto, apesar do progresso ocorrido nas últimas décadas, persistem importantes barreiras que resultam na queda de coberturas e disparidades entre os países no acesso a novas vacinas. Neste cenário, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) lançou, em 2020, a Agenda de Imunização para o decênio 2021-2030 (AI2030). Este artigo tem o objetivo de debater os principais fatores que afetam o acesso às vacinas e as estratégias para promoção da equidade no acesso a elas a nível global e nacional. Tais fatores são multisetoriais e precisam ser considerados em ambos os níveis, destacando-se as barreiras financeiras e geográficas, os desafios de infraestrutura, fatores socioeconômicos e culturais, políticas públicas e governança. O texto aponta a necessidade de remodelação da arquitetura global das cadeias produtivas e dos centros de pesquisa e inovação, criando e/ou fortalecendo as existentes em países de baixa e média renda. Além disso, é necessário estabelecer novos mecanismos e modelos de produção e comercialização de vacinas. As estratégias adotadas para acesso a vacinas e outras tecnologias em saúde estão no centro do debate da agenda de saúde global.

Abstract Vaccination is an essential component of primary health care and coping with health emergencies. However, despite the progress from the last decades, important barriers persist resulting in lower access and disparities between the countries in the access to new vaccines. In this scenario, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched, in 2020, the Immunization Agenda for the 2021-2030 decade (AI2030). This article aims to discuss the main factors that affect access to vaccines and strategies to promote equity in access to them at global and national levels. These factors are multi-sectoral and need to be considered in both levels, with emphasis on financial and geographic barriers, infrastructure challenges, socioeconomic and cultural factors, public policies, and governance. The text points the need to remodel the global architecture of production chains and research and innovation centers, creating and/or strengthening existing ones in low- and middle-income countries. In addition, establishing new mechanisms and models for the production and commercialization of vaccines is necessary. The strategies adopted for accessing vaccines and other health technologies are at the center of the global health agenda debate.

One Health and surveillance of zoonotic tuberculosis in selected low-income, middle-income and high-income countries: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB) due to Mycobacterium bovis burden across the globe. The aim of this study was to describe zTB surveillance programs in selected WHO signatory countries and to assess the relationship of the disease with the country's income level and the risk of M. bovis transmission. METHODS: We searched the main articles databases and grey literature for guide documents published between 1980 and 2019. For inclusion, the articles and guide documents had to be in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Italian. Only original articles and narrative and systematic reviews were accepted and the guide documents were required to be available on official websites. We excluded articles that did not focus on epidemiology, control and surveillance. We used bovine TB cases in livestock and wildlife populations as a proxy for the country's risk of zTB using data from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) published from 2015 to 2018. Countries were classified according to income level (World Bank's classification) and strength of zTB surveillance. The study was registered in PROSPERO under number CRD42018090603. FINDINGS: We included 13 articles and 208 guide documents including data from 119/194 countries (61.3%). We found a lack of surveillance data about zTB in over half (89.9%) of the 119 WHO signatory countries. Most surveillance systems perform passive surveillance and are not integrated into the One Health perspective, which was operating in 4/119 (3.4%) countries, all high-income. Many of these countries (71/119, 59.7%) have M. bovis circulating in their cattle herds, but only ~10% of them have implemented zTB surveillance activities. INTERPRETATION: Our findings highlight weaknesses in zTB surveillance worldwide, with a consequent lack of information that could support an adequate understanding of disease burden, especially in countries at major risk for M. bovis transmission. To meet this challenge, efforts will be needed to promote intersectoral policies, implementing the One Health strategy.

Delayed vaccination the children up to 2 years of age.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with vaccination delay in children up to 2 years of age. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with primary data from a probabilistic sample of 388 children born in 2015. The data were described using absolute and relative frequencies. For the analysis of factors associated with vaccination delay, Cox proportional risk regression was performed, considering the time from birth to the first vaccination delay as a dependent variable and as sociodemographic, economic, behavioral aspects related to health services as independent variables. RESULTS: The delayed vaccination rate was 88.66%. Variables associated with delayed vaccination were: mother's health problems during delivery or in the first 7 days (HR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.48-0.96); hospitalization of the child in the first 2 years of life (HR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.10-2.11); mother's poor bond with health professionals at the health unit (HR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.01-3.03); purposeful decision to delay or not to vaccinate the child (HR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.14-2.13). CONCLUSIONS: The factors associated with health care, such as the mother's health problems, the child's hospitalization in the first 2 years of life, and the bond between the mother and the health professionals affect the timeliness of vaccine doses.

Effect of a conditional cash transfer programme on infant up-to-date and timely vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes are one of the strategies to increase vaccination coverage among underprivileged families by conditioning cash transfer to the up-to-date immunisation of children. However, there are gaps in knowledge of its impact on vaccination at the recommended age (timely). METHODS: We performed two cross-sectional analyses of secondary data from a retrospective cohort, at the landmark ages of 12 and 24 months, to assess the effect of the Brazilian CCT on the up-to-date and timely vaccination in children born between 2014 and 2016 and resident in the city of Araraquara, São Paulo (Southeast Brazil). The Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to balance two pre-defined groups (beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries) according to the profile of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: From a total of 7386 children within the cohort, 22.2% (1636) were from beneficiary families of the CCT. After the pairing by PSM, the final sample size included in the analyses was 1440 for each group. We found higher up-to-date vaccination coverage, at 12 (92.1%, 95% CI=90.6% to 93.5%) and 24 months (83.8%, 95% CI=81.8% to 85.7%), among the CCT beneficiaries compared with the non-beneficiaries (85.1%, 95% CI=83.2% to 86.9% at 12 months and 73.6%, 95% CI=71.2% to 75.8% at 24 months). The coverage of timely vaccination did not statistically differ between beneficiaries (41.5%, 95% CI=38.9% to 44.1% and 17.4%, 95% CI=15.4% to 19.4%) and non-beneficiaries (40.7%, 95% CI=38.1% to 43.3% and 17.1%, 95% CI=15.2% to 19.1%) at 12 and 24 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study highlights a positive effect of the CCT on vaccination coverage of the up-to-date infant vaccination schedule. However, there was no difference in timely vaccination.

Mortality and survival of tuberculosis coinfected patients living with AIDS in São Paulo, Brazil: a 12-year cohort study.

BACKGROUND: TB is still one of the leading causes of death among HIV patients. This study evaluates the effect of TB on the mortality rate, survival time, and predictors of survival in patients with AIDS living in different areas in São Paulo State (SPS). METHODS: Retrospective cohort of adolescents and adults with AIDS, diagnosed between 2003 and 2007 and followed-up until 2014. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Mortality rates were estimated by person-years. Survival analysis used the date of diagnosis as the reference for the construction of Kaplan-Meier curves. The Cox model was used for the investigation of survival-associated factors. RESULTS: A total of 35,515 patients were included, of whom 63.0% were male; 64.7% at the age group of 30 to 49 years, 64.4% were white, 12.9% co-infected with TB, and 37.6% had CD4 count above 200 cells/mm3 at diagnosis of AIDS. The 12-year survival probabilities were 74.1% and 55.7% among patients without and with TB co-infection, respectively. After adjustment for sex, age and year of diagnosis, the following exposures were independently associated with lower survival: residing in municipalities of the Interior (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.43) and Coastal Area (HR = 1.9); illiteracy (HR = 2.61); being co-infected with TB (HR = 1.70); CD4 count below 200 cells/mm3 at AIDS diagnosis (HR = 2.31); viral load above 500 copies/ml at AIDS diagnosis (HR = 1.99); HAART1 regimen (one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or boosted old protease inhibitors) (HR = 1.94). CONCLUSION: The impact of TB on survival of AIDS was heterogeneous, and affected by age, years of formal education, early AIDS diagnosis, and proper ARV treatment. These factors may not fully explain the different survival outcomes in each of the four regions within the same state. These results may subsidize focused interventions and public health policies conveying specific needs in each of the areas.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of syphilis in pregnant women and congenital syphilis in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

We aimed to estimate the occurrence of syphilis in pregnant women (SPW) and congenital syphilis (CS) in the municipalities of the state of São Paulo (SP) and evaluate their relationship with socioeconomic, demographic, and health care variables. We developed an ecological study based on secondary data of SPW and CS with spatiotemporal components from 645 municipalities in SP including data from 2007 to 2018. We modeled the data in a Bayesian context, considered spatial and temporal random effects, and used binomial negative probability distributions. We found a continuous increase in the relative temporal risk of SPW, from 2007 to 2018, and CS, from 2007 to 2017, when their incidences increased by 8.6 and 6.6 times, respectively. This increase occurred en bloc in practically all municipalities of SP. The increase in SPW was associated with teenage pregnancy, municipalities with a large number of inhabitants, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) incidence. The increase in CS was associated with municipalities with a large number of inhabitants, incomplete antenatal care, and AIDS incidence. Although actions to control these diseases are required in all municipalities of SP, the identification of high-risk areas points to priority regions for development.

Secular Trends of Suicide in the City of São Paulo, 1904-2017.

Background: Few reports from developing countries have described long-term trends in suicide. Aims: To investigate the age-, sex-, and method-specific trends in suicide over the period 1904-2017 in São Paulo. Method: Mortality data were obtained from SEADE, DATASUS, and PRO-AIM. Results: Suicide peaked in the mid-1910s and mid-1950s, being higher among men. There was an upward trend from the 1920s for men and from the 1930s for women. Suicide rates have declined since the mid-1950s, reaching lower rates in the past 40 years. Men aged 60+ had higher rates at the beginning and a decreasing trend. Suicide rates among men aged 20-39 and 40-59 peaked in the mid-1950s and declined until the late 1970s, thereafter remaining stable. Women aged 20-39 years had the highest rates with decreasing trends from the mid-1950s. No trends were detected for the age group 40-59, and women aged 60+ presented a decreasing trend. Rates among women aged 0-19 declined after the late 1970s. Suicide by poisoning peaked in the 1950s, and there was a downward trend for firearms and an upward trend for hanging. Conclusion: Suicide trends vary by sex, age group, and method. Accurate monitoring of these trends is an important task for suicide prevention and public health agencies and personnel.

Global Health and Planetary Health: perspectives for a transition to a more sustainable world post COVID-19.

The manuscript discusses interfaces between academic and practical fields of Global Health and Planetary Health, shedding light on some critical perspectives of cumulative and synergistic causes of global crises, and effects on health and food security, on human rights, on migration, and on environment. Concepts of Global Health and Planetary Health and the path for the Sustainable Development Goals -SDG in the context of the Syndemy of Global Crisis, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic, are presented. COVID-19 lessons highlight challenges of infectious diseases and pandemics of the crisis of food insecurity, and of climate emergency. The manuscript advocates for an innovative approach that simultaneously broader awareness of the interconnected problems and of their complex causes and calls for emancipatory knowledge to face urgent challenges for a transdisciplinary research agenda aiming to tackle enormous planetary problems brought by the Anthropocene. It calls for practical solutions, with examples of some nature-based. It highlights the need of a collective reflection on a viable path to promote changes for a more sustainable, equitable, and adaptive future, bridging gaps from Global and Planetary Health.

Global Health and Planetary Health: perspectives for a transition to a more sustainable world post COVID-19 / Saúde Global e Saúde Planetária: perspectivas para uma transição para um mundo mais sustentável pós COVID-19

Abstract The manuscript discusses interfaces between academic and practical fields of Global Health and Planetary Health, shedding light on some critical perspectives of cumulative and synergistic causes of global crises, and effects on health and food security, on human rights, on migration, and on environment. Concepts of Global Health and Planetary Health and the path for the Sustainable Development Goals -SDG in the context of the Syndemy of Global Crisis, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic, are presented. COVID-19 lessons highlight challenges of infectious diseases and pandemics of the crisis of food insecurity, and of climate emergency. The manuscript advocates for an innovative approach that simultaneously broader awareness of the interconnected problems and of their complex causes and calls for emancipatory knowledge to face urgent challenges for a transdisciplinary research agenda aiming to tackle enormous planetary problems brought by the Anthropocene. It calls for practical solutions, with examples of some nature-based. It highlights the need of a collective reflection on a viable path to promote changes for a more sustainable, equitable, and adaptive future, bridging gaps from Global and Planetary Health.

Resumo O manuscrito discute as interfaces entre os campos acadêmico e prático da Saúde Global e da Saúde Planetária, lançando luz sobre algumas perspectivas críticas acerca das causas cumulativas e sinérgicas de crises globais e seus efeitos na saúde e segurança alimentar, nos direitos humanos, na migração e no ambiente. São apresentados os conceitos de Saúde Global e Saúde Planetária, e perspectivas para os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) no contexto de uma sindemia de crises globais, em particular a pandemia de COVID-19, cujas lições lançam luz sobre os desafios relacionados às doenças infecciosas, crise de insegurança alimentar e emergência climática. O manuscrito defende uma abordagem inovadora que, simultaneamente, amplie a consciência dos problemas interligados e de suas complexas causas e fomente o conhecimento emancipatório para enfrentar os desafios urgentes de uma agenda de pesquisa transdisciplinar visando enfrentar os enormes problemas planetários trazidos pelo Antropoceno. Reforça a necessidade de soluções práticas, com exemplos de soluções baseadas na natureza, e de uma reflexão coletiva sobre um caminho viável para promover mudanças para um futuro mais sustentável, equitativo e adaptável, preenchendo as lacunas da Saúde Global e Planetária.

Computerized immunization record agreement in Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil, 2018. / Concordância do registro informatizado de imunização de Araraquara, São Paulo, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To describe agreement between the Juarez System immunization data and information in vaccination record booklets and vaccination coverage in children aged 12 to 24 months. METHODS: This was a descriptive study to assess the vaccination status at 12 and 24 months of age of children born in 2015 and recorded on the Juarez System. The levels of agreement between the Juarez System data and the information in vaccination record booklets were verified. RESULTS: 429 children were included. It was found that agreement ranged between 84.1% and 99.1%. The vaccine survey found that coverage for each vaccine ranged from 86.01% to 100% and for the full schedule, from 77.1% (12 months) to 68.8% (24 months). The spatial distributions of vaccine coverage ranged from 28% to 100%. CONCLUSION: There was excellent agreement between the data, with high vaccination coverage, but heterogeneity in their spatial distributions.

Factors Associated with the Completeness of the Vaccination Schedule of Children at 12 and 24 Months of Age in a Brazilian Medium-Size Municipality.

PURPOSE: To analyse the factors associated with the completeness of the vaccination schedule of children at 12 and 24 months of age, in a Brazilian municipality. DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in Araraquara-São Paulo with a probabilistic sample of 388 children born in 2015. The completeness of the vaccination schedule at 12 and 24 months of age was considered a dependent variable. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, use of health services and vaccination were the independent variables. For analysis, descriptive statistics and Poisson regression with robust variance were used. RESULTS: The completeness of the vaccination schedule at 12 and 24 months of age was identified in 77.1% and 68.8% of children, respectively. Coverage at 12 months was greater among children of mothers who received guidance from health professionals on vaccination or had health problems during childbirth or in the first seven days. Those who reported a previous episode of adverse reaction to the vaccine, coverage was lower. Coverage at 24 months was greater among those who received guidance from health professionals on vaccination or had health problems during childbirth or in the first seven days. Those who reported a previous episode of adverse reaction to the vaccine, coverage was lower. CONCLUSIONS: This study points to the importance of guiding health professionals, particulary nurses, on the vaccination and vaccine safety. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: It is necessary the competent act of the health professionals in of immunization programs, as they are able to provide clear and accurate information of the vaccination.

Agreement of the computerized immunization record of Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil, 2018 / Concordancia del registro de vacunación computarizado de Araraquara, São Paulo, Brasil, 2018 / Concordância do registro informatizado de imunização de Araraquara, São Paulo, 2018

Objective: To describe the agreement between the immunization data of the Juarez System and the information in the vaccination booklet and vaccination coverage in children aged 12 to 24 months. Methods: Descriptive study to assess the vaccination status at 12 and 24 months of age of children born in 2015 and registered in the Juarez System. The levels of agreement between the Juarez System data and the information in the vaccination booklet were verified. Results: 429 children were included. it was found that the agreement varied between 84.06 and 99.06%. The coverage (vaccine survey) for each vaccine ranged from 86% to 100% and for the complete schedule, 77.1% (12 months) and 68.8% (24 months). The spatial distributions of vaccine coverage ranged from 28% to 100%. Conclusion: excellent agreement between the data, high vaccination coverage, but heterogeneity in their spatial distributions.

Objetivo: Descrever a concordância entre os dados de imunização do Sistema Juarez e as informações da caderneta de vacinação e as coberturas vacinais em crianças de 12 a 24 meses. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, para avaliar a situação vacinal aos 12 e 24 meses de idade de crianças nascidas em 2015 e registradas no Sistema Juarez. Foram verificados os níveis de concordância entre os dados do Sistema Juarez e as informações da caderneta de vacinação. Resultados: Foram incluídas 429 crianças. Verificou-se que a concordância variou entre 84,06 e 99,06%. As coberturas no inquérito vacinal para cada vacina variaram de 86 a 100%; e para o esquema completo, de 77,1 (12 meses) a 68,8% (24 meses). As distribuições espaciais da cobertura vacinal foram de 28 a 100%. Conclusão: Observou-se ótima concordância entre os dados, com altas coberturas vacinais, muito embora heterogeneidade em suas distribuições espaciais.

COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil: adherence to national preventive measures and impact on people's lives, an online survey.

BACKGROUND: The first case of COVID-19 infection was diagnosed in Brazil 26th February 2020. By March 16th, physical distancing and confinement measures were implemented by the Brazilian government. Little is known about how these measures were followed up by the Brazilian people and their impact on daily routine. METHODS: In early April 2020, using an online platform, we organized an online survey among adults living in Brazil about their COVID-19 preventive behavior and impact on their daily routine. RESULTS: Data from 23,896 respondents were analyzed (mean age: 47.4 years). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, half (51.1%) of the professionals reported working from home. Regular handwashing was practiced by 98.7% of participants; 92.6% reported adhering to the 1.5-2 m physical distancing rule, but only 45.5% wore a face mask when going outside. While 29.3% of respondents found it relatively easy to stay at home, indoor confinement was extremely difficult for 7.9% of participants. Moreover, 11% of participants were extremely worried about their health during the COVID-19 epidemic. Younger people, male, persons living in a rural area/village or popular neighbourhoods, students and workers reported less preventive behaviour. CONCLUSION: Restrictive measures markedly affected the daily and professional routines of Brazilians. Participants showed a satisfactory level of adherence to national COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Qualitative and follow-up studies are needed to monitor the impact of COVID-19 in the Brazilian society.

Concordância do registro informatizado de imunização de Araraquara, São Paulo, 2018 / Concordancia del registro de vacunación computarizado de Araraquara, São Paulo, Brasil, 2018 / Computerized immunization record agreement in Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil, 2018

Objetivo: Descrever a concordância entre os dados de imunização do Sistema Juarez e as informações da caderneta de vacinação e as coberturas vacinais em crianças de 12 a 24 meses. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, para avaliar a situação vacinal aos 12 e 24 meses de idade de crianças nascidas em 2015 e registradas no Sistema Juarez. Foram verificados os níveis de concordância entre os dados do Sistema Juarez e as informações da caderneta de vacinação. Resultados: Foram incluídas 429 crianças. Verificou-se que a concordância variou entre 84,1 e 99,1%. As coberturas no inquérito vacinal para cada vacina variaram de 86,1 a 100%; e para o esquema completo, de 77,1 (12 meses) a 68,8% (24 meses). As distribuições espaciais da cobertura vacinal foram de 28 a 100%. Conclusão: Observou-se ótima concordância entre os dados, com altas coberturas vacinais, muito embora heterogeneidade em suas distribuições espaciais.

Objetivo: Describir la concordancia entre los datos de vacunación del Sistema Juárez y la información de la cartilla de vacunación y cobertura vacunal en niños de 12 a 24 meses. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo para evaluar el estado de vacunación a los 12 y 24 meses de edad de los niños nacidos en 2015 e inscritos en el Sistema Juárez. Se verificaron los niveles de concordancia entre los datos del Sistema Juárez y la información del carné de vacunación. Resultados: Se incluyeron 429 niños. Se encontró que la concordancia varió entre 84,1 y 99,1%. La cobertura (encuesta de vacunas) para cada vacuna varió de 86% a 100% y para el esquema completo, 77,1% (12 meses) y 68,8% (24 meses). Las distribuciones espaciales de la cobertura vacunal oscilaron entre el 28% y el 100%. Conclusión: excelente concordancia entre los datos, alta cobertura de vacunación, pero heterogeneidad en sus distribuciones espaciales.

Objective: To describe agreement between the Juarez System immunization data and information in vaccination record booklets and vaccination coverage in children aged 12 to 24 months. Methods: This was a descriptive study to assess the vaccination status at 12 and 24 months of age of children born in 2015 and recorded on the Juarez System. The levels of agreement between the Juarez System data and the information in vaccination record booklets were verified. Results: 429 children were included. It was found that agreement ranged between 84.1% and 99.1%. The vaccine survey found that coverage for each vaccine ranged from 86.01% to 100% and for the full schedule, from 77.1% (12 months) to 68.8% (24 months). The spatial distributions of vaccine coverage ranged from 28% to 100%. Conclusion: There was excellent agreement between the data, with high vaccination coverage, but heterogeneity in their spatial distributions.

Transmission and prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis in a Brazilian setting under a directly observed therapy short-course strategy.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to estimate the prevalence and transmission of drug-resistant tuberculosis in a high-burden Brazilian setting under directly observed therapy short-course strategy. METHODS: Isolates of culture-confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis patients from Guarulhos, Brazil, diagnosed in October 2007-2011 were subjected to drug susceptibility and IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism testing. RESULTS: The overall resistance prevalence was 11.5% and the multi-drug resistance rate was 4.2%. Twenty-six (43.3%) of 60 drug-resistant isolates were clustered. Epidemiological relationships were identified in 11 (42.3%) patients; 30.8% of the cases were transmitted in households. CONCLUSIONS: Drug-resistant tuberculosis was relatively low and transmitted in households and the community.

Translating transmissibility measures into recommendations for coronavirus prevention.

The rapid increase in clinical cases of the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, suggests high transmissibility. However, the estimates of the basic reproductive number reported in the literature vary widely. Considering this, we drew the function of contact-rate reduction required to control the transmission from both detectable and undetectable sources. Based on this, we offer a set of recommendations for symptomatic and asymptomatic populations during the current pandemic. Understanding the dynamics of transmission is essential to support government decisions and improve the community's adherence to preventive measures.

Transmission and prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis in a Brazilian setting under a directly observed therapy short-course strategy

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We aimed to estimate the prevalence and transmission of drug-resistant tuberculosis in a high-burden Brazilian setting under directly observed therapy short-course strategy. METHODS: Isolates of culture-confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis patients from Guarulhos, Brazil, diagnosed in October 2007-2011 were subjected to drug susceptibility and IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism testing. RESULTS: The overall resistance prevalence was 11.5% and the multi-drug resistance rate was 4.2%. Twenty-six (43.3%) of 60 drug-resistant isolates were clustered. Epidemiological relationships were identified in 11 (42.3%) patients; 30.8% of the cases were transmitted in households. CONCLUSIONS: Drug-resistant tuberculosis was relatively low and transmitted in households and the community.

Translating transmissibility measures into recommendations for coronavirus prevention

ABSTRACT The rapid increase in clinical cases of the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, suggests high transmissibility. However, the estimates of the basic reproductive number reported in the literature vary widely. Considering this, we drew the function of contact-rate reduction required to control the transmission from both detectable and undetectable sources. Based on this, we offer a set of recommendations for symptomatic and asymptomatic populations during the current pandemic. Understanding the dynamics of transmission is essential to support government decisions and improve the community's adherence to preventive measures.