Research papers
← vista completaPublished on February 20, 2014 | http://doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2014.01.5895
Quality control in the follow-up of pulmonary tuberculosis contacts in Camagüey, Cuba (2008-2011)
Control de la calidad del seguimiento de contactos de tuberculosis pulmonar en Camagüey, Cuba (2008-2011)
Abstract
Introduction
Tuberculosis is currently a health problem in the municipality of Camagüey.
Purpose
To assess compliance of guidelines issued by the National Program for the Control of Tuberculosis for the follow-up of contacts of positive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the municipality of Camagüey, Cuba.
Design
Descriptive cross-sectional design.
Methods
1,242 contacts resulting from 39 reported cases of tuberculosis during the study period were included in the municipality of Camagüey between 2008 and 2011. Epidemiological surveys and records of reported cases were reviewed. The results were processed and analyzed in SPSS 17.0 statistical software and subsequently presented in tables and graphs. The results were summarized by percentages. The “Follow-up form for contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis” was used as main guideline, which was created by experts of the Investigation and Monitoring of Tuberculosis, Acute Respiratory Infections, and Leprosy Workshop of Tropical Medicine Institute Pedro Kourí.
Results
Contacts that had an initial examination and four checkups had 96.2% of acceptability. Contacts that had fewer than four checkups showed less than 10% acceptability (3.3%). All contacts were assessed from the outset and were treated, in accordance with program guidelines.
Conclusion
We found adequate compliance of National Program for the Control of the Tuberculosis guidelines for follow-up of contacts of positive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Compliance is greater in younger age groups and in the actively employed (25 to 54 years). This evaluation contributed to identify existing weaknesses in follow-up, such as low interest of this population to undergo appropriate testing in the National Program of Control of Tuberculosis.
INTRODUCTION Tuberculosis is currently a health problem in the municipality of Camagüey.
PURPOSE To assess compliance of guidelines issued by the National Program for the Control of Tuberculosis for the follow-up of contacts of positive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the municipality of Camagüey, Cuba.
DESIGN Descriptive cross-sectional design.
METHODS 1,242 contacts resulting from 39 reported cases of tuberculosis during the study period were included in the municipality of Camagüey between 2008 and 2011. Epidemiological surveys and records of reported cases were reviewed. The results were processed and analyzed in SPSS 17.0 statistical software and subsequently presented in tables and graphs. The results were summarized by percentages. The “follow-up form for contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis” was used as main guideline, which was created by experts of the Investigation and Monitoring of Tuberculosis, Acute Respiratory Infections, and Leprosy Workshop of Tropical Medicine Institute Pedro Kourí.
RESULTS Contacts that had an initial examination and four checkups had 96.2% of acceptability. Contacts that had fewer than four checkups showed less than 10% acceptability (3.3%). All contacts were assessed from the outset and were treated, in accordance with program guidelines.
CONCLUSION We found adequate compliance of National Program for the Control of the Tuberculosis guidelines for follow-up of contacts of positive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Compliance is greater in younger age groups and in the actively employed (25 to 54 years). This evaluation contributed to identify existing weaknesses in follow-up, such as low interest of this population to undergo appropriate testing in the National Program of Control of Tuberculosis.
