Factors Contributing to Treatment Default Across the Five States in Brazil with the Highest Tuberculosis Incident Rates (2011-2019)

Fernando Lopes, Júlia Fialho Cauduro, Maria Jacirema Ferreira Gonçalves

  • Fernando Lopes Universidade Federal do Amazonas
  • Júlia Fialho Cauduro Universidade Federal do Amazonas
  • Maria Jacirema Ferreira Gonçalves Universidade Federal do Amazonas

Abstract

Objective: To identify the factors associated with tuberculosis treatment default in states with the highest incidence rates of the disease in Brazil and its large regions from 2011 to 2019. Methods: This cross-sectional study used secondary data of new tuberculosis cases reported by the National System for Notifiable Disease of Brazil. The annual distribution of tuberculosis incidence rate was analyzed by the Brazilian states. Pearson’s chi-square test and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between the predictor and outcome variables. Results: The states with the highest average incidence rates in their respective regions were Amazonas (North), Pernambuco (Northeast), Rio de Janeiro (Southeast), Rio Grande do Sul (South) and Mato Grosso (Central-West). The main factors associated with the tuberculosis treatment default were male sex, age group 15–40 years, black race/ethnicity, non-performance of directly observed treatment, HIV coinfection, pulmonary clinical form, and alcoholism. Conclusion: Despite public policies, tuberculosis treatment default remains a health problem in Brazil. Despite the similarities among default situations in the states, the profile of this indicator does not represent national data. Thus, knowing the factors associated with tuberculosis treatment default allows for individualized examination of each state according to their specificities.

Keywords: Tuberculosis. Epidemiological Profile. Treatment Adherence and Compliance. Patient Compliance.

Published
2024-12-04