Tuberculosis in Brazil: A Temporal Analysis of Tuberculosis Incidence Based on DATASUS Data (2015–2015)

Abstract

Pulmonary tuberculosis remains a major public health problem in Brazil, despite having affected the global population for centuries and despite the wide availability of effective diagnostic methods and low-cost treatment. The objective of this study was to analyze the temporal trend of tuberculosis in Brazil between 2015 and 2024, based on data from DATASUS/SINAN, as well as to evaluate the pattern of reported cases in relation to the elimination target proposed by the Pan American Health Organization.

The results indicate a consistent increase in the number of reported cases throughout the analyzed period. The persistence of transmission reflects weaknesses in active case finding among symptomatic patients, deficiencies in infrastructure and ventilation in large urban centers and prison settings—which fail to take into account the transmissibility of the disease through the spread of aerosols via coughing, speaking, or sneezing—and failures in complying with the protocols established for disease control.

The need to strengthen primary care actions is emphasized in order to control complications, hospitalizations, and other undesirable outcomes.