Tuberculosis epidemiology trends in Armenia

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) in Armenia is one of the most serious public health problems. The Ministry of Health has the overall responsibility for TB control in the country. TB control interventions in Armenia are guided by the National TB Control Program for 2007 – 2015 years. Methods: The article is based on the TB epidemiological data from National TB Control Office register. Results: In 2010 incidence of new TB cases in general population (per 100 000) was 41.3 and decreased by 9.2% compared to the incidence of 2009. Out of all registered TB cases 75% were new cases and 25% were re-treatment cases. In 2010 1329 new TB cases were notified and out of whose 339 were new sputum smear-positive TB cases. The incidence of sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB in 2010 in general population was about 10.4 per 100 000. In 2010 incidence of new TB cases among children was 10.7 per 100 000 population compared to 12.2 per 100 000 in 2009. The notification rate was 43.4 per 100 000 in urban population and 37.5 per 100 000 in rural population. In 2010 TB mortality rate was 2.9 per 100,000 population and decreased by about 25% compared to 2009. Among those who died from TB in 2010 57% were primary TB cases and 18% were diagnosed after autopsy. Treatment success rate for new smear positive cases equals to 73.3% for 2008 cohort and 72.5% for 2009 cohort. The Drug Resistant TB treatment in the country was start in 2010. Percent of treatment failures was increasing since 2005 till 2007 and majority of those failed treatment due to DR TB and now they are enrolled on second line treatment. Conclusion: Armenia now is one of the 18 high priority countries for TB control in the WHO European Region and also among the 27 multi-drug resistant TB burden countries in the world. The National TB Control Program of Armenia now is in process of strengthening essential DOTS elements for prevention drug resistant TB forms, rising TB case detection rate, providing comprehensive social support and psychological assistance to the patients in order to ensure treatment adherence.