Epidemiological peculiarities of tuberculosis morbidity in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Introduction. Tuberculosis is the second most common disease among infectious diseases, leading to adult mortality, causing approximately 2 million deaths worldwide each year. The World Health Organisation has declared tuberculosis a global emergency. Aim of study. Analysis of multiannual tuberculosis morbidity and determination of the causes of the increase and decrease of the incidence in certain periods. Methods and materials. This research is a descriptive observational epidemiological study, in which morbidity data of tuberculosis infection were analysed. The following were used as information sources: Form 2 of registration and evidence of diseases for the years 2004-2020. The indicators that were evaluated: morbidity level, morbidity dynamics over time, distribution of tuberculosis cases by territories, age groups. Results. Analysing the dynamics of multiannual tuberculosis morbidity in the Republic of Moldova and Chisinau municipality during the years 2004-2020, we found that the incidence is decreasing. During the 2004-2005 years, the morbidity increased from 86,88 ‱ to 102,06 ‱. From a morbidity of 98,83 ‱ in 2006, the morbidity through tuberculosis reached the level of 91,93 ‱ in 2012. If in 2013 the morbidity due to tuberculosis was 88,21 ‱, then in 2019 it was 56,59 ‱, to be only 34,32 ‱ in 2020. Multiannual tuberculosis morbidity in Chisinau and Moldova during the years 2004-2020 has also been declining. The average level of morbidity for the entire period in Chisinau was 71,45 ‱ compared to 80,34 ‱ at the republic level, being 1,12 times lower compared to that recorded at the republic level. Depending on residence place, urban or rural, during the years 2004 - 2020, the morbidity through tuberculosis had a decreasing trend. The average level of morbidity in urban and rural areas was 69,26 ‱ and 79,05 ‱, respectively. Depending on the age groups, children and adults, tuberculosis morbidity in adults – 112,17 ‱ was much higher compared to that in children – 21,77 ‱. Among the children, the most affected by tuberculosis was the age group 3-6 years – 0,20 ‰ and 7-17 years – 0,22 ‰. The average tuberculosis morbidity among children in urban areas was higher compared to those in rural areas, being 0,24 ‰ and 0,17 ‰, respectively. Conclusion. During the last years the morbidity through tuberculosis is decreasing, which is a favourable indicator for the Republic of Moldova. This decrease is due to specific prophylaxis of tuberculosis and appropriate treatment.