Profile of tuberculosis patients in Natal-RN, Brazil, from 2010 to 2018: a documentary study

Abstract

The present study aimed to elucidate the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis patients in Natal-RN between the years 2010 and 2018. This was an epidemiological, retrospective and documentary study, in which the recovery of the secondary data occurred from the "Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS)" in Brazil. The following variables were studied: year of notification, gender, age, schooling, area of residence, ethnicity and factors that facilitate the onset of tuberculosis. Statistical association was performed using the Chi-Square test. In the year 2011, the highest percentage of notifications for tuberculosis was received (12.4%) in Natal-RN. The profile of the affected individuals was predominantly male (69.5%), between 20 and 39 years of age (43.8%), low educational levels (41.3%), mulattoes (68.2%) and urban residents (94.1%). When gender was associated with factors that facilitate the onset of tuberculosis, it was observed that males presented higher percentages of positivity for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (16.3%), Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (15.8%), alcoholism (34%) and smoking (13.5%), while in females the highest rates of this correlation were with Diabetes mellitus (10.4%). In addition, a statistically significant association was found between gender with tobacco and alcohol consumption (<0.001) and with the presence of diabetes and Aids (<0.001). The data found in this study may serve as an auxiliary for developing more specific public policies for those most susceptible to tuberculosis in Natal-RN.

Epidemiological profile of people affected by tuberculosis in Campina Grande - PB, between 2014 and 2018

“…Regarding the sex of the affected individuals, there was a male predominance, with 68.2%. The analyzed data are similar to those reported in a study developed in the city of Natal-RN, in which a greater involvement of tuberculosis was evidenced in male individuals, representing 69.5% of those infected (ANDRADE JÚNIOR et al, 2019). The data presented also corroborate with a study carried out in Caxias-MA between the period 2006 to 2016 in which the results showed that 65.6% of the individuals affected by tuberculosis were male (MACEDO et al, 2017).…”

“…It was evidenced that, among those affected, the most prevalent were individuals with less education, similar to a study carried out in Natal-RN (ANDRADE JÚNIOR et al, 2019). The predominance of low schooling is presented as important information, as individuals with less years of study have difficulties in accessing information and knowledge about prophylactic and self-care measures.…”

“…Regarding the status of AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and sex, a statistically significant association was observed (p <0.05). Approximately 7.7 % of women and 13.3% of men are in this clinical condition, with lower prevalence when compared to a study carried out in where 11.3% (n = 195) of women and 15.8% (n = 817) of the men had AIDS (ANDRADE JÚNIOR et al, 2019).…”

“…These results differ from a study carried out in Natal-RN, in which only 0.8% (n = 14) of women and 0.5% (n = 18) of men studied were found to be reactive. (ANDRADE JÚNIOR et al, 2019). However, a worrying situation is that 36.2% of the studied population did not have an HIV test performed, which, in turn, precludes early diagnosis and, if reactive, the initiation of immediate pharmacological treatment with antiretrovirals, as it has been demonstrated that knowing the positive serology for HIV greatly increases the life expectancy of the person living with the virus, in addition to being able to prevent the appearance of co-morbidities, such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, viral hepatitis and certain cancers.…”