Investigation of Contacts for Latent Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection: Application Software Development

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a pathology that continues to be worthy of special attention from health professionals and society due to its high prevalence, proving to be a crucial public health problem. Objectives: To describe the development of an application for family health strategy professionals’ investigation of tuberculosis contacts for Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection. Methods: This study is applied research on an application software developed according to three of the five phases described by Falkembach for developing digital educational materials, which include analysis and planning, modeling, and implementation. Results: The application is dynamic; that is, it guides health professionals through sequenced screens according to professionals’ self-informed answers. This functionality helps them deciding whether to proceed to the treatment of the patient with Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection or returning to the initial stage of a tuberculosis contact. The screens of the application follow the flowchart presented in the Ministry of Health’s Manual of recommendations for tuberculosis control in Brazil of 2018. Conclusion: The application developed to guide Family Health Strategy professionals regarding Latent Infection by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis can prevent human errors and increase the care quality when assessing tuberculosis contacts.