Epidemic situation of tuberculosis in the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia in 2021

Abstract

Aim. To analyze the epidemic situation of tuberculosis (TB) in the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia in the context of implementation of a targeted governmental program “Prevention and control of socially significant infectious diseases.”Materials and methods. Performance indicators were calculated based on the information derived from official statistical forms. Conventional calculation methods were used.Results. The incidence of TB in the Far Eastern Federal District amounted to 51.0 per 100 thousand population under the target value of 41.0. The coverage of population with preventive TB screening comprised 72.9% under the target value of 72.5% (achieved). The mortality rate in tuberculosis patients was 9.1 per 100 thousand population under the target value of 6.0. The maximum mortality rates were recorded in the Amur Oblast (15.8) and Primorsky Krai (15.3) with 55.6% of fatal cases. The share of newly-diagnosed TB cases in prisons comprised 7.7% under the target value of 7.6%. The share of newly-diagnosed pulmonary TB cases with a culture-positive result was 56.5%, which exceeded the target value of 55.5%. However, this indicator was extremely low in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (26.9%), Zabaykalsky Krai (29.7%), and Jewish Autonomous Oblast (31.9%). The indicator “Effectiveness of the treatment of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis” was 55.9% under the target value of 57.5%. The main problem of achieving this indicator was associated with insufficient adherence of patients to treatment.Conclusions. Tuberculosis remains to be a serious problem in the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia. Only two out of six indicators of the targeted governmental program were achieved. The epidemic situation in the Primorsky Krai and Amur Oblast requires increased attention due to their significant role in the Far Eastern Federal District as a whole. Efforts should be aimed at improving laboratory diagnostics of TB and developing programs of psychosocial support for TB patients.