Objective:

to investigate access to health services for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment among indigenous peoples in Rondônia State, Brazil, 2009-2011.

Methods:

we conducted a cross-sectional study with indigenous people attending Indigenous Health Care Units (Casai) between October 2009 and February 2011; geographical, economical and functional dimensions of access to TB services were evaluated through interviews and then described.

Results:

52 indigenous people with TB were interviewed; in the geographical dimension, lack of transportation, distance and lack of health professionals were the main obstacles; in the economic dimension, 15 indigenous people reported cost/expense as a barrier to access; in the functional dimension, 21 arrived at the Casai using their own means; 24 reported that the time between first symptoms and arriving at the Casai was > 30days; 25 reported that time between first consultation and starting treatment was >30 days; treatment was supervised in 22 cases.

Conclusion:

the difficulties found in accessing health services in the dimensions we analyzed can contribute to TB continuing to be transmitted in indigenous villages.

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