Tuberculose e sua relação com a vulnerabilidade social: uma abordagem espacial

Abstract

To relate the variables that characterize the social vulnerability to the occurrence of tuberculosis’ new cases in Juazeiro do Norte/CE/ Brazil between 2001 and 2012. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Ecological study and temporal trend, with hybrid design. It was held in Juazeiro do Norte/CE/ Brazil, from 2001 to 2012. The new reported cases with tuberculosis in all clinical forms were included as subjects of this research. The socio demographic profile of patients has been mapped, soon after geocoding of new cases; the areas’ maps were constructed with major and minor concentrations of cases, through the Kernel estimator technique. In order to analyze the social vulnerability, it was built an indicator from the factor analysis. RESULTS: Among 914 new cases of tuberculosis, it can be observed a male predominance, aged between 20 to 39 years, low schooling, pulmonary clinical form, healing percentage of 79,1% and abandonment of 5,3%. The data obtained have identified that the areas of lower and medium social vulnerability obtained greater concentration of tuberculosis’ cases. CONCLUSIONS: Through the results obtained, it can be identified the occurrence of tuberculosis in homogeneous geographical areas, that is, it presents similar characteristics in Juazeiro do Norte/CE/ Brazil, enabling the health managers the choice of strategies and specific interventions to the most vulnerable groups, thus reducing inequities in health, in this municipality.