Epidemiological characteristics of the pulmonary tuberculosis′s movement in the area of Central Bosnia Canton in light of DOTS strategy application

Aim To determine the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosisin the Central Bosnia Canton (CBC) in relation to the placeof residence, gender, occupation, age, as well as the effects ofprevention programs implemented in terms of these infectiousdiseases. The purpose of this study is to highlight the growingpublic health problem of developing this chronic infectious diseaseand the importance of consistent implementation of thestrategy of directly observed therapy (DOTS).Methods This retrospective analytical research was conductedon 550 patients hospitalized during the period 2008-2012 inthe Hospital for Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis in Travnik.Sources of data included all reported infections, statisticalballot of patients and protocol patients treated at the Hospitalfor Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis of Travnik, as well asthe Protocol of tuberculosis patients at the CBC Departmentof Public Health. Data were analyzed based on gender, age,place of residence and occupation.Results Average incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis was46/100.000, with variations that ranged from 29/100.000 inthe towns Novi Travnik to 86/100.000 in Fojnica. Most ofthe patients were males, 380 (69%). People who were mostaffected were younger labor force of the age group 25 to 49,218 (40%). A significant decline in the trend rate of illnessper year was recorded, from 61.81/ 100,000 in 2008, to 29.80year/100,000 in 2012. No cases of resistance in M. tuberculosiswere recorded.Conclusion A consistent implementation of the DOTS strategyprovides the opportunity to establish full control over thischronic infection, which is one of the most important publichealth problems.