Experiences and perspectives on rapid-test diagnosis of tuberculosis, histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis in people with advanced HIV/AIDS disease in Porto Alegre, Brazil

The rapid diagnosis of opportunistic infections (OIs) is critical for improving the health outcomes of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study aimed to describe the feasibility of implementing a package for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, and cryptococcosis in patients with advanced HIV/AIDS disease in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The research involved two focus groups with health professionals, four in-depth interviews with healthcare managers, and twelve interviews with PLWHA. The corpus was analyzed using Descending Hierarchical Classification (DHC). The study found that the rapid test diagnosis intervention was generally well-received by patients and health professionals, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes. However, it also identified several areas for improvement, including the need for expanded psychosocial support and enhanced coordination between health services. The findings have important implications for the development and implementation of policies and programs aimed at enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of OIs among PLWHA with advanced diseases. Further research should explore social determinants of HIV/AIDS mortality to offer valuable insights into improving prevention and treatment strategies. By prioritizing patient-centered care and improving coordination between health services, policymakers and health professionals can improve the health outcomes of PLWHA with advanced disease in Porto Alegre and other similar settings.