Tuberculosis in a township in southern Bahia: epidemiological and operational indicators

Tuberculosis is an important public health problem of global magnitude. Although it has had diagnostic and therapeutic support for decades, its control requires attention in several points from the health system. In this context, epidemiological and operational indicators allow evaluating the effectiveness of the Tuberculosis Control Program. A retrospective epidemiological study was conducted with a quantitative approach, referring to the period from 2014 to 2018, in the township of Ilhéus, using secondary data from the Information System of Notifiable Diseases of the State Secretariate of Bahia (SINAN/SESAB). During the analyzed period, 678 cases of tuberculosis were identified in the information system, with an average annual incidence coefficient of 71.32 cases/100,000 inhabitants and a mortality coefficient with an average of 4.45 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. The test rate of these HIV patients was 56.64%. Regarding the directly observed treatment (DOT), the annual average was 10.19% cases that underwent this follow-up, with a reduction of 28.57% of cases in 2014 followed up with DOT for only 8.11% of cases in 2018. Regarding the closure situation, in 2018 there was a higher proportion of individuals who presented cure (77.61%), lower proportion of treatment abandonment (18.30%), as well as a lower number of cases with closure due to death (2.99%). Thus, it is perceived that tuberculosis in the township of Ilhéus presents values far from what is recommended and remains an important public health problem. In view of this scenario, highlights the importance of decentralization of the service, with its management guided by the evaluation of indicators and the consolidation of primary health care. Key messages This study is relevant because it allows the assessment of the tuberculosis profile. The analysis of the indicators makes it possible to adopt appropriate prevention and control strategies.