Barriers and Facilitators to Integrating Depression Treatment Within a TB Program and Primary Care in Brazil

Tuberculosis (TB) and depression is common and is associated with poor TB outcomes. The World Health Organization End TB Strategy explicitly calls for the integration of TB and mental health services. Interpersonal Counseling (IPC) is a brief evidence-based treatment for depression that can be delivered by non-mental health specialists with expert supervision. The goal of this study was to explore potential barriers and facilitators to training non-specialist providers to deliver IPC within the TB Control Program and primary care in Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro state. Data collection consisted of six focus groups (n = 42) with health professionals (n = 29), program coordinators (n = 7), and persons with TB (n = 6). We used open coding to analyze the data, followed by deductive coding using the Chaudoir multi-level framework for implementation outcomes. The main structural barriers identified were poverty, limited access to treatment, political instability, violence, and social stigma. Organizational barriers included an overburdened and under-resourced health system with high staff turnover. Despite high levels of stress and burnout among health professionals, several provider-level facilitators emerged including a high receptivity to, and demand for, mental health training; strong community relationships through the community health workers; and overall acceptance of IPC delivered by any type of health provider. Patients were also receptive to IPC being delivered by any type of professional. No intervention-specific barriers or facilitators were identified. Despite many challenges, integrating depression treatment into primary care in Itaboraí using IPC was perceived as acceptable, feasible, and desirable.