Characteristics of tuberculosis patients in Yazd province, Islamic Republic of Iran, 1997-99.

We determined the incidence of tuberculosis and some demographic characteristics among 604 patients in a 3-year period (1997-99) in Yazd province, Islamic Republic of Iran. The average annual rate of tuberculosis was 26.8 per 100 000 (22.9 in males and 31.0 per 100 000 in females). The highest rate of tuberculosis was in the > 50 years age group (111.1 per 100 000). The average annual proportion of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis cases was 75.8% and 24.2% respectively. On average 66.7% of TB patients were cured, 8.4% transferred to a different catchment area, 17.7% were treatment failures and 7.1% died. Of the total, 63.2% were Iranian, 36.1% Afghan refugees. Despite efforts in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of patients and refugees, tuberculosis is still an important problem in this province.