Racial inequalities in tuberculosis infection in Brazil
METHODS: Descriptive retrospective study, which had as its data source new cases of TB reported in the Information System Diseases and Notification (Sinan). Were calculated Incidence Rates (IR) of TB per 100.000 inhabitants and analyzed sociodemographic variables (gender, age group, education and area of residence) and clinical (clinical form, complementary tests to diagnosis and co-infection TB/HIV), supervised treatment and treatment outcomes, according to the categories of race/color (white, black, yellow, brown and indigenous). The data were structured in Microsoft Excel® 2010 and analyzed in SPSS20.0.
RESULTS: In the period 278.674 new cases were reported in Brazil, corresponding to an average incidence 36,7/100.000 inhabitants. The IR by race/color reveal that in Brazil, the indigenous showed the highest incidences, recording an increase of 95.4/100,000 in 2008 to 104/100.000 in 2011. Male patients and individuals of 20-44 years predominance in all categories of race/color. The indigenous had the highest percentage of illiteracy (16.0%). In the area of residence of notifications, 66.3% were from the urban area. Pulmonary form was the most frequent 82.3%, in all categories. The HIV test was not offered to 33.4% of cases. treatment outcomes there was a predominance cure in all categories of race/color, however, the high percentage were recorded among indigenous (76.8%). The highest percentage of deaths from TB were among blacks (3,4%). The highest percentage of treatment supervised was among indigenous (68.6%).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings helped to understand the disparities in illness by TB, according to the current ethnic classification in Brazil. Therefore, believed that for the development of effective strategies, Brazilian authorities should develop strategies specific strategies for TB control, considering the differences of each specific group, focusing patients with race/color indigenous and black, addressing the social determinants of health in these groups.