Incidência da tuberculose associada às características demográficas e ambientais em Campina Grande-PB.

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze demographic and environmental variables influence on tuberculosis incidence in Campina Grande (Paraíba; Brazil) considering the period from January 2006 to December 2012. Tuberculosis secondary data were used, which were provided by State Department of Health. Environmental data on temperature, relative humidity and rainfall were granted by the National Institute of Meteorology and supplied by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, through its meteorological station located in the city. In order to achieve the study’s goals, we used a free software, like Geographical Information System, aiming to verify the disease incidence distributed in city neighborhoods, as well as polynomial correlation and Principal Component Analysis, in order to establish a correlation between meteorological parameters and tuberculosis in Campina Grande. It was noticed that disease higher incidence occurs in males, poorly educated people and also in economically active groups, aging between 21 and 40 years old, which is similar to other studies conducted in different localities. There was a major tuberculosis incidence in west neighborhoods, especially in Serrotão district, which has a small population if compared to most other neighborhoods in the city. This fact reveals that the high number of contacts is an important factor for incidence maintenance over the studied years. Polynomial correlation and Principal Component Analysis indicated a relationship between meteorological parameters and tuberculosis cases. It was also observed that the highest ratio occurred between rain precipitation, air temperature and relative humidity, as verified by polynomial equation. Through Principal Component Analysis, we could observe a higher correlation between illness cases and minimum temperature. It is possible to notice that, when it comes to tuberculosis, factors set study, which influence the number of cases, is more fruitful than isolated factors study, because social, economic and environmental factors, among others, should be observed jointly.