Epidemiological Aspects of Tuberculosis in Brazil

Abstract

Mortality from tuberculosis in all the Brazilian capitals was reduced by 65.5 per cent between 1946 and 1954, this reduction representing the survival of almost 60,000 people. The smallest number of deaths was registered in São Paulo, with 36.0 per 100,000 inhabitants. The decline of mortality did not make itself felt with equal intensity in all stages of life, and was more marked in the age groups ranging from 10 to 14 and 15 to 19, with 80.0 and 90.5. The decrease was, likewise, greater among females. The sharp fall recently observed in mortality rates would seem to have resulted from the use of new therapeutic agents. In the period 1946-1954 there was a decrease of 46.9 in incidence. Case-fatality rate also decreased. There was, however, an increase of 77 per cent in prevalence, and in 1955 mortality itself increased by 14.7 per cent as compared to the previous year. The epidemiology of tuberculosis is undergoing such rapid modification that it would be unsafe to draw definite conclusions based on the facts observed. It would appear, however, that despite the improvement observed, not only with regard to mortality and case-fatality, but also with relation to incidence and infectiousness itself, the present picture of tuberculosis epidemiology in Brazil is still serious.