Epidemiological Analysis of Tuberculosis in Ceará: 2012 to 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium M. tuberculosis, is a public health problem in Brazil. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiology of TB in Ceará from 2012 to 2023. Methods: Using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) available on the DATASUS platform, an epidemiological, descriptive, and retrospective study was conducted. Variables such as case distribution by year, health macro-region, biological sex, age group, disease form, and case outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 51,129 TB cases occurred during the period, with an 11.2% increase in annual cases, and a total of 1,619 deaths attributed to TB. The majority of cases occurred in the Fortaleza macro-region (72.09%), with a higher prevalence among men (66.87%) and in the 20-39 age group (42.96%). The pulmonary form of the disease was the most common (85.74%). An annual average of 3,333 new cases and 260.66 recurrent cases were observed, with an average cure rate of 63.08%. Discussion: The persistence of TB, despite control strategies, is due to socioeconomic factors and failures in public health policies. The predominance among young males reflects behavioral and biological issues. The treatment abandonment rate (14.5%) and the increase in MDR-TB cases indicate the need for more effective and integrated interventions, from early detection to appropriate and continuous treatment. Final considerations: Based on the results of this research, it is evident that tuberculosis control and prevention measures need to be refined and enhanced to improve the indicators related to this pathology.