Implementation of the Rapid Molecular Test for Tuberculosis in the State of São Paulo: a Documentary Analysis

To analyze the implementation context of the Rapid Molecular Test for tuberculosis diagnosis in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Qualitative documentary study conducted by surveying documents from governmental bodies related to the implementation of the Rapid Molecular Test. The documents were exported and organized using Atlas.ti® software, analyzed based on Content Analysis, and interpreted in light of the Policy Transfer framework.

A total of 295 documents were identified, of which seven, from the years 2014 to 2021, were included in the study. Three thematic categories emerged: 1. Resources, which addresses the financial, human, and material aspects managed by the three levels of government during the Rapid Molecular Test implementation period; 2. Implementation Strategy, which refers to the decision-making and implementation phases in the Policy Transfer process; and 3. Monitoring Actions, which covers the maintenance and expansion phase of the Policy Transfer process, including organization and monitoring to advance the care for people with tuberculosis.

The implementation of the Rapid Molecular Test represents a significant advancement in modernizing public health policies for the control of tuberculosis in Brazil. To effectively achieve the established targets for tuberculosis eradication, this initiative necessitates continuous monitoring and the expansion of access to the test.