Avaliação da qualidade dos registros laboratoriais de tuberculose no município do Rio de Janeiro, no período de 2012 a 2016: a partir do relacionamento do GAL com o SINAN

Abstract

The state of Rio de Janeiro in 2019, tuberculosis (TB) reached 54.7 cases / 100 thousand inhabitants., the capital has one of the most highest rates, reaches 99.0 cases / 100 thousand inhabitants, distributed among the 10 Planning Areas (AP). In order to have a health situation analysis, quality of information is a key component. Record Linkage allows to expand the scope of data accuracy. Objective: Assess completeness and consistency of laboratory records of TB in the city of Rio de Janeiro, 2012 to 2016, based record linkage from Gerenciador de Ambiente Laboratorial - GAL and Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação - SINAN database. Methodology: Cross-sectional study, using secondary data from GAL and SINAN with residents of city Rio de Janeiro. Bivariate analysis of the association between selected variables from the GAL and SINAN, using Pearson's chi-square test (χ2), with significance level α = 0.05, was performed. Results: The incompleteness of GAL (39.9%) was higher than SINAN (13.7%). The incompleteness of GAL did not vary significantly over the years, whereas, in SINAN, a downward trend was observed. Approximately 95% of exam requests were made by basic health units of Rio de Janeiro’s city. The relationship between the fields in the GAL and SINAN showed consistency from regular to good (p <0.001). Some requests had positive result for TB in the smear microscopy in GAL, were not related to SINAN, (n = 5,472; 4.9%). Conclusion: The record linkage allowed more assessment of laboratory records quality. Although GAL is intended for administrative use, it was observed that the use by primary heath care can help epidemiological surveillance and allow a better flow of information, if the quality of information were better worked. The encouragement of evaluation, monitoring and training of health professionals would have an important impact on the qualification of the GAL and its timely use in TB actions. More studies about quality of information produced by GAL and how it interlocutes with others health information systems are needed.