Analysis of the Tuberculosis Occurrence Through the Use of Geoprocessing

Abstract

Background: For the control of tuberculosis (TB), it must be adopted specific measures in areas of high transmission. Thus, it was aimed to identify the spatial pattern of new tuberculosis cases in Juazeiro do Norte-CE/ Brazil, from 2001 to 2012.

Methods and Findings: It is a hybrid design, ecological study and temporal trend. The new cases reported with TB were included as subjects of research. It was outlined the socio demographic profile; the spatial analysis of cases was made through the Kernel technique and the nearest neighbor method with simulation. Among 914 new TB cases, there was a predominance of males (56,0%),  aged between 20 to 39 years (42,0%), with incomplete elementary school (43,2%), pulmonary clinical form (89,1%). 79,1% of patients achieved a cure and 5,3% abandoned the treatment. In the studied period, it was identified homogeneous spatial distribution and non-random pattern, with the highest concentration of cases in the southern region of the city.

Conclusion: The identification of spatial pattern becomes relevant, in order that it can contribute to the strengthening of the TB control by providing information that optimizes activities such as: active search, health education, notification of new cases and supervising the treatment performed by health professionals.