Abstract

MACQ, Jean; SOLIS, Alejandro; VELAZQUEZ, Harry  and  DUJARDIN, Bruno. La información al caso sospechoso de TB para la recolección de la muestra de esputo y la comunicación de resultados de laboratorio en Nicaragua: un proceso descuidado en la pesquisa de casos de tuberculosis. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2005, vol.47, n.4, pp.303-307. ISSN 0036-3634.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the patient information process before sputum sample collection, the quality of sputum sample and transmission of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) examination results to TB suspects, in three local areas of Nicaragua. METHODS: (a) directed interviews of consecutive series of TB suspects whose sputum had been examined for AFB; (b) directed interview of health personnel; and (c) assessment of the sputum sample quality. RESULTS: A total of 115 TB suspects and 33 health personnel were interviewed and 625 sputum samples were assessed. Results show multiple weaknesses in the process of information to the patient during sputum collections, as well as in the communication of results. CONCLUSIONS: This study unveiled an aspect usually overlooked of case finding, that is, the information process during sputum production, sputum sample quality, and the communication of results to the TB suspects. The results illustrate the need for routine assessment of the whole diagnostic process.

Keywords : tuberculosis; diagnostic; patient-provider communication; Nicaragua.

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