OBJECTIVE:To describe the sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis cases and identify associated factors with abandoning treatment and death whilst undergoing treatment. METHODS:Epidemiological study based on cases of tuberculosis recorded in indigenous and non-indigenous individuals according to race/color in Mato Grosso do Sul, Midwestern Brazil, between 2001 and. Descriptive analysis of the cases was carried out according to the variables of sex, age group, residence, type of test used in the diagnosis, clinical form, supervised treatment and final status, according to race/color. Univariate/multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of abandoning treatment and death, using odds ratio as a measure of association. A time series of incidence according to race/color was constructed. RESULTS:In the period, 6,962 new cases of tuberculosis were registered, 15.6% being among indigenous. The illness was predominantly found in men and adults (20-44 years old) in all groups. Most of the indigenous patients lived in rural areas (79.8%) and 13.5% of the records in indigenous occurred in children aged < 10 years. The average incidence in the state was 34.5/100,000 inhabitants, being 209.0, 73.1, 52.7, 23.0 and 22.4 in indigenous, and those with yellow, black, white and brown skin, respectively. Patients aged 20 to 44 years (OR = 13.3, 95%CI 1.9;96.8), male (OR = 1.6, 95%CI 1.1;2.3) and of black race/color (OR = 2.5, 95%CI 1.0;6.3) were associated with abandoning treatment, while patients aged > 45 years (OR = 3.0, 95%CI 1.2;7.8) and with the mixed form (OR = 2.3, 95%CI 1.1;5.0) showed association with death. Although they only account for 3.0% of the population, the indigenous were responsible for 15.6% of cases recorded during the period. CONCLUSIONS:Major inequalities in the tuberculosis illness process were found between the categories studied. Incidence in the indigenous population was consistently higher than recorded in any other group, reaching more than six times the national average. It was among those with black and brown skin that the worst treatment results were observed, as they were twice as likely to abandon treatment as the indigenous. Poor program performance was strongly associated with abandoning treatment and death. It is thought that as long as there is no reduction in poverty inequalities in health indicators will remain.

With the intention of improve knowledge on the epidemiological situation of tuberculosis (TB) among vulnerable populations in Brazil, our objective was to analyze sociodemographic characteristics and operational indicators related to TB control, comparing indigenous and non-indigenous people, in Rondônia. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive epidemiological study of new TB cases reported between 1997, January 1st and 2006, December 31st. We excluded duplicate records and those for whom the results of treatment was change in diagnosis and transfer. TB cases were classified into two categories: indigenous and non-indigenous people and analysis was performed according to sex, age, origin (urban /rural), State of residence, clinical form, diagnostic tests, monitoring indicators and results of treatment. Altogether 4832 cases were reported, with 322 cases (6.7%) in indigenous people. There was a male predominance (ratios: 1.7 to 1.3 in non-indigenous and indigenous people). The majority of cases for indigenous people (82.6%) was in rural area and there was high concentration of cases (36.0%) in children < 15 years. The analysis of diagnostic tests showed a predominance of smear positive in non-indigenous (56.1%) and smear negative and smear not performed in indigenous people (31.7% and 35.4% respectively, P value=0.0001). There was difference in the monitoring in relation to smear of second month (6.1% positivity, P value = 0.0001) and exam at least one contact (69.6%, P value = 0.017) for non-indigenous. On the other hand, DOTS was more associated with indigenous people cases (23.6%, P value = 0.0001). Stands out the predominance of cure in both groups, with bigger concentration in indigenous people (90.4%, P value = 0.0001) and higher rate of noncompliance in non-indigenous (14.7%, P value = 0.0001). The approach showed useful for elucidate inequalities and has exceeded the usual analysis carried out surveillance on services that aim to delineate the epidemiological situation based only on rates or absolute values.

Objective: To examine spatial-temporal distribution and risk of suicide, as well as trends in suicide mortality rates, in the indigenous and non-indigenous population of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Methods: Data were obtained from the Information Department of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Deaths recorded as voluntary self-inflicted injuries (ICD-10 codes X60.0 to X84.9) were considered suicide. Suicide rates were estimated and adjusted by age in the population 4 9 years of age. Kernel analysis was used to assess the spatial distribution of suicide cases, while trend analysis was carried out using a non-parametric test (Mann-Kendall). Results: The suicide risk among the indigenous population was 8.1 (95%CI 7.2-9.0) times higher than in the non-indigenous population. For indigenous residents in the 15-24 age group, the risk was 18.5 (95%CI 17.5-19.6) times higher than in the non-indigenous population. The majority of indigenous cases were concentrated in a few villages in reservation areas, mainly occupied by Guarani-Kaiowá and Guarani-Ñ andeva groups. Rate patterns remained stable over time in both groups. Conclusion: Suicide is a serious public health problem in Mato Grosso do Sul, and has had an alarming and disproportionate impact on the indigenous population for more than a decade.

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2003 to investigate the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) among the Suruí Indians, Brazilian Amazon. A total of 736 subjects (50.7% females) were examined (80% of the total population). TB suspects underwent standardised evaluation for the presence of signs and/or symptoms of active TB, including chest radiography, PPD skin test, sputum microscopy examination for acid-fast bacilli and mycobacterial culture. A Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine scar was detected in 699 individuals (95.0%). Of all the individuals examined, 120 (16.3%) had undergone previous TB treatment (46.7% females). One hundred and nine individuals were assessed as TB suspects (52.3% females). The survey identified six new cases of TB in the Suruí (three men and three women). Five of the six cases came from only two of the ten villages. Mycobacterium tuberculosis colonies grew from 5 (4.6%) samples (only two of which were also smear-positive) and mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis were isolated from 14 (12.8%) samples. Diagnosis of TB based exclusively on clinical grounds was established only in the case of a 4-year-old girl. Based on this survey, the prevalence of active TB in the sampled group (N=736) was 815.2 per 100000. This study highlights the urgent need to review and strengthen control strategies directed at indigenous peoples in the country, taking into consideration their social, cultural and environmental differences.

ObjectiveThis study analysed clinical and sociodemographic aspects and follow-up for notified cases of tuberculosis (TB) and explored inequalities in incidence rates and outcome by colour or race and the geographic macro-regions of Brazil.MethodsThis paper reports the results of a population-based descriptive epidemiological study of all notified cases of TB in Brazil during the period from 01/01/2008 to 31/12/2011. We analysed sociodemographic and clinical variables according to colour or race (white, black, Asian, mixed, and indigenous) and geographic macro-regions of the country (North, Northeast, Central-West, South, and Southeast).ResultsDuring the study period, the average incidence of TB in Brazil was 36.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with the highest rates occurring in the North and Southeast regions. The analysis of TB notifications by colour or race revealed that the indigenous population presented the highest incidence rates in all macro-regions except the South, where higher rates were reported in black patients. ‘Cured’ was the most frequently reported treatment outcome for all skin colour categories. The highest cure rate occurred among the indigenous population (76.8%), while the lowest cure rate occurred among the black population (70.7%). Rates of treatment default were highest among blacks (10.5%) and lowest among the indigenous population (6.9%). However, the fatality rate was similar across race categories, varying between 2.8% and 3.8% for whites and the indigenous population, respectively. The lowest cure rates were observed when follow-up was inadequate (58.3%), and the highest was observed when the follow-up was classified as excellent (96.8%).ConclusionsThis study revealed that—apart from the heterogeneous distribution of TB among the Brazilian macro-regions—ethnic-racial inequalities exist in terms of clinical-epidemiological characteristics and incidence rates as well as follow-up for cases undergoing treatment. The highest rates of TB occurred among the indigenous people.

This study analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of crude and adjusted rates of incidence of tuberculosis (TB) between 1997 and 2006, identifying areas of greatest risk to the indigenous and non-indigenous population of Rondônia State, Brazil. An ecological study was conducted analyzing municipalities and Indian reserves, using the local empirical Bayesian method. The crude average rate of incidence of TB among the non-indigenous population was 35.6/100,000 inhabitants, while for the indigenous population it was 415.0/100,000. Rates greater than 600/100,000 were reported in the Karipuna, Sete de Setembro, Igarapé, Ribeirão and Karitiana reserves. We observed a greater number of cases in under 15 year-olds with little schooling in contrast to the situation in the non-indigenous population. After making adjustments, the rates in some Indian reserves exceeded 240/100,000 inhabitants, while in coinciding municipalities incidence was between the range of 61-120/100,000. The Bayesian method led to decreased overall heterogeneity in rates. Evidence suggests that the indigenous population is more vulnerable to contracting TB and highlighted areas that require further attention to ensure the adequate control of TB in Rondônia.

Tuberculosis persists as a serious public health problem in Brazil. Prevalence rates are alarming in certain social groups, including indigenous peoples. This article presents an epidemiological analysis of records for the Suruí Indians available at the Tuberculosis Control Program in the Municipality of Cacoal, Rondônia. The study includes a descriptive statistical analysis of cases reported from 1975 to 2002. There is evidence that the Suruí have an increased risk of acquiring and dying from tuberculosis as compared to other indigenous groups in Rondônia as well as non-Indians. The average incidence coefficient for tuberculosis in the Suruí was 2518.9 per 100,000 inhabitants in the period 1991-2002. It was observed that 45% of the cases were diagnosed in children < 15 years old. Over half of the cases (63.3%) were reported in men. Only 43.2% of the cases were confirmed by sputum microscopy. The use of PPD skin tests, histopathological exams or bacteriological culture were not reported throughout the period. Attention is called to the need for prevention and control measures specifically tailored to the reality of indigenous peoples.

The risk of tuberculosis infection and disease in this population was high. Despite the reduced incidence resulting from recent efforts, tuberculosis control requires closer surveillance of contacts and improvement in communication strategies between health teams and indigenous populations.