Epidemiological indicators of tuberculosis in the Chernivtsi region in the pre-war period and during military operations in Ukraine

Abstract

Background. It is known that military conflicts have a negative impact on the epidemiology of infectious origin. High levels of stress, inadequate hygiene, overcrowding in shelters, inadequate nutrition contribute to an increased risk of transmission of airborne infection, including tuberculosis (ТВ). Objective of the study. To analyze how the military actions in Ukraine affected the epidemiological indicators of ТВ in the Chernivtsi region. Material and methods. We conducted an analysis of official statistics on epidemiological indicators of tuberculosis in the Chernivtsi region over the past 5 years. Results. Until 2020, there was a trend towards a gradual decrease in the incidence of tuberculosis in the Chernivtsi region. In 2020, quarantine restrictions led to a sharp drop in the rate of increase in morbidity of ТВ (-40.4%). Starting from 2021, the incidence began to increase again. In 2022, the incidence of new cases of ТВ was 32.2 per 100,000 population, and in 2023 - 37.4 per 100,000 population. In 2022,5.6% of the total number of ТВ patients were internally displaced persons, in 2023 - 3.3% of all ТВ cases in the region. Conclusion. In the pre-war period, the incidence of ТВ in the Chernivtsi region began to gradually increase after Covid-19. During the military actions on the territory of Ukraine, there was an intensification of the growth of ТВ morbidity.