Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of tuberculosis and its temporal trend in the State of São Paulo.

• Grant number: 23/16905-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: February 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Epidemiology
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Alexandre Arcêncio
• Grantee: Reginaldo Bazon Vaz Tavares
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/08510-7 - Interaction and effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuberculosis control in the State of São Paulo: political-social, clinical-epidemiological aspects and innovative practices, AP.TEM

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) emerged as the leading cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide in 2015, and the disruption of essential health services due to the pandemic directly influenced years of progress against tuberculosis in Brazil. This impact is observed in both diagnosis and treatment, as well as in the human and financial resources in essential health services. Thus, the study aims to examine the temporal trend of COVID-19 and tuberculosis cases and deaths in the municipalities of the state of São Paulo. This is a descriptive and exploratory epidemiological study to be conducted in the state of São Paulo. The study will be divided into two stages: in the first stage, data on TB cases and deaths will be collected from SINAN, and COVID-19 data will be colleted from the Coronavirus Panel. in the second stage, all cases identified in the first stage will be grouped according to the month of notification, and some quantitative variables will be analyzed, considering changes in rates according to the notification location. All data analyses will be conducted using RStudio® version 1.2.1335, employing the forecast library, and STATA version 14. The study aims to provide insights into the epidemiology and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB control, offering evidence and answers regarding the epidemiological correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and TB control. This, in turn, will enable the establishment of goals and milestones for significant reductions in TB incidence, deaths, and the costs incurred by patients and their families due to TB.