INCIDENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN TIMES OF COVID-19

TUBERCULOSIS INCIDENCE IN TIME OF COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: The tuberculosis detection rate may have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the new reality and habits created to fight the pandemic. Objective: Analyze the incidence of tuberculosis in Brazil from 2018 to 2020; comparing periods and vulnerable populations. Methods: Data from the Registry of the Ministry of Health of Brazil were collected on the incidence of tuberculosis in the years of 2018, 2019 and 2020, taking into account the distribution by age, sex and vulnerable groups such as homeless people, inmates, professionals health workers and immigrants. Results: There was a decrease in the number of new tuberculosis cases in 2020 compared to 2018 and 2019. There were no differences in the proportion of men and women or by age group. Among the vulnerable, it was found that they maintained, in 2020, the same proportion observed in 2018 and 2019. Conclusion: New cases of tuberculosis decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic equally in all segments of the population studied.