The article aimed at assessing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis control in Brazil, based on the experiences of reference institutions, and the most relevant studies carried out to determine local and national resistance rates. Control measures and the current situation of treatment and diagnoses after the implementation of the national guidelines, which were revised in 2004, are considered. The first national survey on resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs was performed in the middle of last decade. From its outcomes, a regimen to treat all […]

The aim of the study was to look back on the course of action involving measures of tuberculosis control in Brazil since the end of the 19th century, covering the history of social struggles and pointing out institutions and people that have dedicated themselves to looking for solutions to these issues. The Brazilian response to tuberculosis started in society with the Ligas Contra a Tuberculose (Leagues Against Tuberculosis), promoting scientific advances, such as the BCG vaccination, which begun in 1927. […]

The article comments the pioneer and recent publication of the World Health Organization called “Guidance for National Tuberculosis Programmes on the Management of Childhood Tuberculosis in Children”, aiming at spreading interesting aspects on the practice of health professionals. A parallel between Latin America and the African continent is established, concerning the co-infection TB-HIV and childhood tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: The expense of acquiring antiretroviral drugs in Brazil has given rise to debate about the sustainability of the policy of universal access to Aids medications, despite the evident benefits. The objective of this study was to analyze the evolution of the Ministry of Health’s spending on acquiring antiretroviral drugs from 1998 to 2005, the determining factors and the medium-term sustainability of this policy (2006-2008). METHODS: The study on the evolution of spending on antiretrovirals included analysis of their prices, […]

The United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/Aids recommends that governments conduct periodic analysis of actions undertaken in confronting the HIV/Aids epidemic that involve civil society’s participation. Specific instruments and mechanisms should be created towards this end. This paper examines some of the responses of the Brazilian government to this recommendation. Analysis contemplates the Declaration’s proposals as to civil society’s participation in monitoring and evaluating such actions and their adequacy with respect to Brazilian reality. The limitations and potentials of […]

The objective of this study was to analyze, on the national level, the process of monitoring the proposed UNGASS indicators through the use of the Brazilian National Program for STD/AIDS indicators. Two groups of proposed indicators were analyzed in 2002 and 2005 respectively, as part of the monitoring of the progress of the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment. The availability of information and limitations in calculating the proposed indicators in Brazil were analyzed and the appropriateness of the indicators for monitoring […]

OBJECTIVE: Treatment dropout is one of the major obstacles to the control of tuberculosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequent return strategy instituted at the Tuberculosis Control Program, as well as the program as a whole, identifying and quantifying potential risk factors for dropout. METHODS: The present study was conducted in Ubatuba, Southeastern Brazil. All patients (n=244) notified by the Tuberculosis Control Program in the two years preceding and the two years following the introduction […]

A contribution to the analysis of the health reform presently occurring in Brazil is presented. The need to consolidate the theoretical background which supports the advances already achieved in order to understand recent events in the area is stressed. In this regard, the health reform is understood as a question transcending the mere administrative and managerial aspect of the health system, since it necessarily involves a redefinition of the concepts of health, disease and the medical practice adopted by the […]