Factors associated with unfavorable tuberculosis treatment outcomes in the population deprived of liberty.

Background: TB represents a significant challenge within the prison context. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with the unfavourable outcomes (no-cure) of TB treatment in the population deprived of liberty (PDL) in southern Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using secondary data from the national notification system was developed to identify TB outcomes. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were applied to determine the dimensions of care associated with unfavourable outcome of TB treatment in the PDL. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were provided for each dimension evaluated.

Results: A total of 3,022 TB cases in the PDL were analysed, of which 1,077 (35.6%) resulted in unfavourable outcome. After adjustment, the following were associated with unfavourable outcome: living with HIV/AIDS, notification by other teams, entry by transfers, clinical epidemiological diagnosis, and self-administered treatment.

Conclusion: The factors associated with unfavourable TB treatment outcomes in PDL are mainly related to non-compliance with public policy determinations and government strategies, such as: lack of health staff in prison institutions, excessive transfers, lack of confirmatory TB tests, and failure to perform directly observed treatment, which should be the rule.