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1: Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2006 Nov;10(11):1292-5.Click here to read Links

Tuberculosis control in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Peru: why does incidence vary so much between neighbors?

Sobero RA, Peabody JW.

University of California Los Angeles, School of Public Health, Department of Health Services, P.O. Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA. rsobero@earthlink.net

SETTING: In 2003, Peru and Bolivia reported the highest annual tuberculosis (TB) incidence rates in the Americas. Neighboring Colombia and Chile had lower annual incidence rates despite their proximity. OBJECTIVE: To determine what factors contribute to differences in TB incidence rates among Chile, Colombia, Bolivia and Peru. DESIGN: Multiple sources of literature dating between 1990 and 2005 were used and World Health Organization TB control guidelines were consulted for policy level comparisons. RESULTS: Comprehensive implementation of the DOTS strategy is the main factor explaining the differences in TB incidence rates, even after considering socio-economic factors. CONCLUSION: Cross-national comparisons suggest ways to improve regional DOTS implementation.

PMID: 17131791 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]