AIM: To assess the trends and pattern of tuberculosis in Vojvodina, Yugoslavia. METHODS: Using a retrospective design, data on 393 diagnosed TB cases were investigated for the years 1987, 1993 and 2000. RESULTS: TB case notification has been increasing in Vojvodina. The number of reported TB cases was 146 in 1987, 101 in 1993 and 146 in 2000; cases were predominantly in the age group 20-39 years (44.5%) in 1987, compared to the 40-59 year age group in 1993 and 2000 (38.6% and 45.9%, respectively). The majority of patients belonged to lower socio-economic groups. Manifestations of TB such as cough, weight loss and exhaustion were common. With the increasing trend of alcoholism from 1987 to 2000, delays in reporting were noticed. TB-related mortality was 1.4% in 1987 and 4.1% in 2000. Resistance to TB drugs among previously treated cases was 2.7% in 1987, 0.9% in 1993 and 2.7% in 2000. With respect to the increasing resistance, the levels of detection and surveillance were poor. The implementation of the DOTS strategy remained fairly low. CONCLUSION: TB is a chronic problem in Vojvodina. Prompt community-oriented actions need to be taken to improve case detection and cure rates through DOTS.
AIM: To assess the trends and pattern of tuberculosis in Vojvodina, Yugoslavia. METHODS: Using a retrospective design, data on 393 diagnosed TB cases were investigated for the years 1987, 1993 and 2000. RESULTS:TB case notification has been increasing in Vojvodina. The number of reported TB cases was 146 in 1987, 101 in 1993 and 146 in 2000; cases were predominantly in the age group 20-39 years (44.5%) in 1987, compared to the 40-59 year age group in 1993 and 2000 (38.6% and 45.9%, respectively). The majority of patients belonged to lower socio-economic groups. Manifestations of TB such as cough, weight loss and exhaustion were common. With the increasing trend of alcoholism from 1987 to 2000, delays in reporting were noticed. TB-related mortality was 1.4% in 1987 and 4.1% in 2000. Resistance to TB drugs among previously treated cases was 2.7% in 1987, 0.9% in 1993 and 2.7% in 2000. With respect to the increasing resistance, the levels of detection and surveillance were poor. The implementation of the DOTS strategy remained fairly low. CONCLUSION:TB is a chronic problem in Vojvodina. Prompt community-oriented actions need to be taken to improve case detection and cure rates through DOTS.