BRIEF COMMUNICATION ON THE EFFICACY OF TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT IN A PRIMARY HEALTH CARE UNIT

Introduction and Aim: Tuberculosis, a disease that is curable, still kills at least 6.000 people a year in Brazil. The cure rate is of 72%, and the mortality and abandonment rates were of 9.1 and 8.3% respectively, reaching in some capitals the abandonment value of 30 to 40% (WHO, 2009). A tuberculosis sufferer is any individual with a diagnosis confirmed by bacilloscopy or culture and that whose doctor, through clinical and epidemiological data and results of complementary exams, makes the tuberculosis diagnosis. This study aims at analyzing short reports of research findings of interest to the Family and Community Medicine, describing about the efficacy of the tuberculosis treatment and discussing the importance of Primary Health Care and patient monitoring. Methodology: A brief study of the determinants factories for effective treaent of tuberculosis in various health care unities. Results and conclusion: Supervised treatment must be rigorous, with continuous and permanent follow-up by the Basic Health Unit, through adequate drug combination, correct doses, long enough use and supervision of medication-taking. These are the means to prevent bacterial persistence and the development of drug resistance, thus ensuring the patient’s cure. It is of paramount importance for the patient’s adherence to the treatment, acceptance, perseverance, the involvement of health professionals and the search for solidary alternatives in the community.