Implementation of a protocol for surveillance of deaths with mention of tuberculosis and the effects on surveillance in a large Brazilian city

The study aimed to assess the degree of implementation and impact of the protocol for surveillance of deaths from tuberculosis (TB) in a large city with a high TB burden. For this evaluative study, a log frame model with a assessment matrix was elaborated. Primary data were collected with a questionnaire applied to healthcare workers, and secondary data were obtained from the Manaus Municipal Health Department, Amazonas State, Brazil. The impact of the protocol’s adoption was analyzed according to the indicators of results and evolution of TB incidence and mortality rates based on simple linear regression and percent change. The degree of implementation of surveillance of deaths with mention of TB was partial (51%). Evolution of TB incidence and mortality showed a significant upward trend in TB incidence from 2006 to 2019. TB mortality and the proportion of deaths with laboratory confirmation of TB showed an increase in the protocol’s implementation, indicating an increase in surveillance. Partial implementation of TB mortality surveillance suggests the need for changes in the work processes of the team managing the Brazilian Mortality Information System and the Municipal TB Control Program. The changes demonstrate improvement of information on TB deaths and the contribution of surveillance of TB diagnosis to definition of cases with TB laboratory confirmation.

Keywords:
Tuberculosis; Mortality; Health Evaluation; Epidemiologic Surveillance