Food insecurity among adults undergoing tuberculosis treatment in priority municipalities of Espírito Santo, Brazil
1
Programa de pós graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Federal Univiversity of Espirito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
2
Nursing, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
3
Programa de Pós-graduação em Clínica Médica na UFRJ, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A646
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Food insecurity is a key social determinant affecting tuberculosis outcomes, yet evidence among individuals undergoing tuberculosis treatment in Brazil remains limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors among adults receiving tuberculosis treatment in priority municipalities of Espírito Santo, Brazil.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in municipalities prioritized for tuberculosis control in Espírito Santo. Adults aged 18 years or older undergoing tuberculosis treatment were included. Food insecurity was assessed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA)¹ and analyzed as a dichotomous outcome. Sociodemographic, clinical, behavioral, and tuberculosis-related impact variables were collected. Associations were evaluated using bivariate and multivariable Poisson regression with robust variance. Municipalities were grouped into metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions to improve model stability. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata version 14 (StataCorp, College Station, TX).
RESULTS:
A total of 86 individuals were analyzed. The prevalence of food insecurity was 58.0%. Among food-insecure participants, most were male (68.0%) and aged 30-49 years. Regarding education, 40.0% had completed high school or had some higher education, while 18.0% were illiterate or had incomplete primary education. HIV positivity was observed in 16.0%. Substance use was frequent, including alcohol (22.0%), tobacco (24.0%), and other drugs (18.0%). Most participants reported negative social impacts of tuberculosis (79.0%) and worsening financial conditions after illness, with 60.0% classified as poorer and 17.0% as much poorer. In multivariable analysis, higher education was independently protective against food insecurity (adjusted PR 0.15; 95% CI: 0.04-0.60), while being classified as much poorer remained positively associated (adjusted PR 2.74; 95% CI: 1.08-6.94).
CONCLUSIONS:
Food insecurity was highly prevalent among individuals undergoing tuberculosis treatment and was strongly associated with socioeconomic vulnerability. Integrating food security actions and social protection strategies into tuberculosis care is essential to reduce inequities and improve treatment outcomes.
Food insecurity is a key social determinant affecting tuberculosis outcomes, yet evidence among individuals undergoing tuberculosis treatment in Brazil remains limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors among adults receiving tuberculosis treatment in priority municipalities of Espírito Santo, Brazil.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in municipalities prioritized for tuberculosis control in Espírito Santo. Adults aged 18 years or older undergoing tuberculosis treatment were included. Food insecurity was assessed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA)¹ and analyzed as a dichotomous outcome. Sociodemographic, clinical, behavioral, and tuberculosis-related impact variables were collected. Associations were evaluated using bivariate and multivariable Poisson regression with robust variance. Municipalities were grouped into metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions to improve model stability. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata version 14 (StataCorp, College Station, TX).
RESULTS:
A total of 86 individuals were analyzed. The prevalence of food insecurity was 58.0%. Among food-insecure participants, most were male (68.0%) and aged 30-49 years. Regarding education, 40.0% had completed high school or had some higher education, while 18.0% were illiterate or had incomplete primary education. HIV positivity was observed in 16.0%. Substance use was frequent, including alcohol (22.0%), tobacco (24.0%), and other drugs (18.0%). Most participants reported negative social impacts of tuberculosis (79.0%) and worsening financial conditions after illness, with 60.0% classified as poorer and 17.0% as much poorer. In multivariable analysis, higher education was independently protective against food insecurity (adjusted PR 0.15; 95% CI: 0.04-0.60), while being classified as much poorer remained positively associated (adjusted PR 2.74; 95% CI: 1.08-6.94).
CONCLUSIONS:
Food insecurity was highly prevalent among individuals undergoing tuberculosis treatment and was strongly associated with socioeconomic vulnerability. Integrating food security actions and social protection strategies into tuberculosis care is essential to reduce inequities and improve treatment outcomes.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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