The tuberculosis as a medical and social problem in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Introduction. The tuberculosis keeps being a worldwide major problem of public health. Since 1993, it has been declared an emergency of public health by the World Health Organization. The Republic of Moldova is found among the 18 countries in the world facing a high burden caused by tuberculosis. Aim of the study. The evaluation of the medical and social aspects of tuberculosis as a public health problem and developing recommendations for reudcing morbidity. Materials and methods. The type of study is descriptive, integral and selective. Applied research methods: historical, comparative, descriptive, statistical, and sociological. Study group: 98 patients with tuberculosis. Data collection methods: bibliographic data, official statistics, personal questionnaires. Data processing is carried out with the Epi Info program. Calculated indicators: relative, central tendency, variability and veracity, significance tests. Results. The prevalence by tuberculosis in the Republic of Moldova in 2018 was 104.8 per 100,000 people, with a decrease compared to 2017 - 117.9 per 100.000 people. The results of the questionnaires indicate that most of the patients constitute men 79.59%, with a statistical difference between the sexes (p <0.0001).The average age of the affected people is 42.27 ± 8.26 years. More than half of the patients come from rural areas 55.1%, 57.14% live alone, they are single, divorced or widowed and only 38.78% are married. The average of the monthly family income is 2853 lei, equivalent to 145 euro, which is a very low income. According to the type of activity most affected are workers 36.61% and 26.53% are unemployed, 55.1% of employees mentioned that they face difficulties at work due to the diagnosis. Conclusions. Although the tuberculosis can be prevented, treated and stopped, it remains a problem of public health at national and global level. While there is a decrease in the incidence of this disease, the prevalence remains high. According to the results of the research, the most vulnerable group is represented by the men from the rural area, without education and with low incomes.