Characterization of tuberculosis cases in the indigenous population of Mato Grosso, 2011-2020.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and clinical profile of tuberculosis in the indigenous population of Mato Grosso (2011-2020).

Method: This is a descriptive study using data recorded in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, SINAN). Statistical analyses were performed, stratified by sociodemographic and clinical variables, comparing tuberculosis cases in the general and indigenous populations of Mato Grosso (Brazil), using the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests in SPSS® 25.0. The incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants and analyzed over the years and by geographic area via GeoDa® 1.20.0.36 and Qgis® 3.32.1. The data were aggregated by regional health departments.

Results: A total of 11,288 tuberculosis cases were recorded in the general population and 879 cases in indigenous people, with mean incidence values of 36.3 and 173.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. Indigenous individuals had a higher proportion of women (48.8% vs. 30.3%, p<0.001), young people (10-17 years old: 21.4% vs. 2.3%, p<0.001), pulmonary forms (97.4% vs. 90.0%, p<0.001) and a higher cure rate (88.9% vs. 76.5%, p<0.001). The spatial distribution was heterogeneous in the indigenous population, with predominance in remote areas of the state.

Conclusion: Tuberculosis had higher incidence in the indigenous population of Mato Grosso (2011-2020) when compared to the general population. Among indigenous individuals, there was a higher proportion of affected women and young people, predominance of pulmonary forms and lower frequency of comorbidities.