Abstract

ARMAS PEREZ, Luisa; MEDINA VERDE, Norma; PERALTA PEREZ, Mariana  and  GONZALEZ OCHOA, Edilberto. An approach to a synthetic indicator (ISILOC) for quality assurance of tuberculosis case detection. Rev Cubana Med Trop [online]. 2009, vol.61, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3054.

INTRODUCTION: An effective tuberculosis case detection process is needed for tuberculosis (TB) control and elimination. OBJECTIVE: To assess results of an initial test for a synthetic indicator designed to monitoring and evaluating the quality of tuberculosis cases detection. METHODS: using retrospective data from the tuberculosis surveillance systems in Havana City and Havana municipalities and some intermediate variables as A= portion of respiratory symptom patients detected; B= portion of first sputum smears microscopies performed; G= length of time from onset of symptoms to first appointment of diagnosed patients with the doctor and H= length of time from diagnosis to the beginning of the focus control, the synthetic indicator of case location (ISILOC)= (A+B)/8 (GH) was estimated, its figures range 0 to 10 (0,9-1, Excellent; 07-0,89, Very Good; 0,4-0,69 Acceptable; 0,1-0,39 Poor; 0 Very poor). RESULTS: Habana Vieja and 10 de Octubre municipalities were rated as Acceptable whereas Marianao municipality classification was Very Good. With data collected in Guanajay municipality in 2000 and 2001, the case detection quality was Excellent and Very Good respectively. Two municipalities were rated as Poor in 2000 in Havana province but they turned out to be classified as Very Good in 2001. CONCLUSIONS: collected data indicate that The Synthetic Indicator (ISILOC) seems to be feasible, easy to compute and interpret and discriminating in its application by integrating four important variables as an additional tool for monitoring and evaluation of TB case detection process nationwide.

Keywords : Tuberculosis; surveillance; case detection; quality; control; Cuba.

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