OBJECTIVE:

to evaluate the geographical and organizational aspects of primary health care services in detecting tuberculosis cases in Pelotas-RS, Brazil.

METHODS:

this was a descriptive evaluation study involving 276 health professionals in 2012; data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering geographical and organizational aspects which received a score using a Likert scale of 1 to 5.

RESULTS:

average use of motorized transport by symptomatic respiratory patients having a cough for more than three weeks to get to a healthcare service was considered regular by respondents; although there was satisfactory availability of health professionals, human resource turnover and time-keeping were considered unsatisfactory; average time of more than 60 minutes waiting to see the doctor and average time spent with the doctor were considered regular.

CONCLUSION:

organizational and geographic characteristics identified as unsatisfactory may interfere with the detection of tuberculosis cases in Pelotas-RS.

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