Trend of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Sistan and Baluchestan Province (2005-2008).

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2008, incidence of tuberculosis in Iran is 2549/100,000 cases per year. Based on the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, case detection index for smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (SPP-TB) has reported to be 11/ 100,000 in Iran in the year 2006. Sistan and Baluchestan Province has the highest rate of SPP-TB in Iran. This study aimed to evaluate the trend of incidence of SPP TB from 2005 to 2008,taking into consideration the interventions (started in the beginning of 2006) implemented by the Zahedan University of Medical Sciences to reinforce the screening system and evaluate the case detection index in this province. Materials and Methods: The understudy population comprised of the whole community under medical coverage of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. Screening was mainly conducted passively till the end of 2005. Since the early 2006, some interventions have been conducted to reinforce the active screening system. All the information regarding the new cases of SPP-TB from 2005 to 2008 was collected from the Center for Disease Control of Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Changes in trend of SPP-TB incidence were analyzed by using Time Series analysis considering the interventions and related effective factors. Results: As a result of interventions aiming at reinforcing active screening since 2006, there has been a significant increase in both the incidence rate and case detection index. However, the incidence rate decreased in 2007.By using "Time Series Analysis for evaluation of the trend of incidence during the study period, the incidence of TB was estimated to be 22.88 cases in 100,000 in 2009. Conclusion: If we overcome the existing shortcomings regarding the screening system of SPP TB, successful case detection index should be higher than 22.88 in 100,000. (Tanaffos2010; 9(1): 48-53)