Epidemiological Profile of Reported Tuberculosis Cases in Santa Quitéria, Ceará, Brazil: A Retrospective Study (2019–2023)
Thiago Ferreira Pessoa
Undergraduate Program in Pharmacy, Centro Universitário INTA (UNINTA), Sobral, Ceará, Brazil.
Vinicius Fontenele Mesquita
Undergraduate Program in Pharmacy, Centro Universitário INTA (UNINTA), Sobral, Ceará, Brazil.
Davi Silva Farias
Graduate Program in Clinical Analysis, Centro Universitário INTA (UNINTA), Sobral, Brazil.
Pedro Isac Fontenele Saldanha
Health Sciences Program, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Sobral, Ceará, Brazil.
Chrisleny Aguiar Nobre
University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, United States.
Olindina Ferreira Melo
Department of Pharmacy, Centro Universitário INTA (UNINTA), Sobral, Ceará, Brazil.
Guilherme Mendes Prado
*
Department of Pharmacy, Centro Universitário INTA (UNINTA), Sobral, Ceará, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The study aims to analyze the epidemiological profile of reported tuberculosis cases in the municipality of Santa Quitéria, Ceará, Brazil, considering sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and temporal characteristics between 2019 and 2023.
Study Design: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with a retrospective and quantitative approach.
Place and Duration of Study: Municipality of Santa Quitéria, Ceará, Brazil, using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), from 2019 to 2023.
Methodology: Secondary data from all reported tuberculosis cases registered in SINAN during the study period were analyzed. Variables included sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, clinical form of the disease, type of case entry, treatment outcome, and laboratory diagnostic tests. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and the results were presented in tables and graphs.
Results: A total of 56 tuberculosis cases were reported during the study period, with a higher concentration in the intermediate years analyzed. Most cases occurred in males, adults aged 40–59 years, and individuals self-identified as mixed-race, with a predominance of low educational level. The pulmonary form was the most frequent, and most notifications corresponded to new cases. The cure rate was considered satisfactory; however, gaps were observed in the performance of some diagnostic tests, particularly sputum culture and rapid molecular testing. Tuberculosis was also associated with comorbidities such as alcoholism and HIV infection.
Conclusion: Tuberculosis in Santa Quitéria predominantly affects socially vulnerable populations, particularly adult men with low educational levels. Although treatment outcomes were relatively favorable, limitations in diagnostic practices and the presence of comorbidities highlight the need to strengthen primary health care actions, improve access to laboratory diagnosis, and reinforce public health strategies aimed at tuberculosis control.
Keywords: Tuberculosis, epidemiology, public health surveillance, sociodemographic characteristics