Epidemiologic situation of tuberculosis in Rio Grande do Sul: an analysis about Sinan's data between 2003 and 2012 focusing on indigenous peoples.

Objective: This article analyzes the epidemiological situation of tuberculosis in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, emphasizing the indigenous population. The data are based on the Information System of Grievance Notification (Sinan) between 2003 and 2012. Methods: The notified cases of tuberculosis were analyzed according to age, sex, zone of residence, input type, means of diagnosis, clinical form, anti-HIV exam, medical care, supervised treatment (in Portuguese, TDO), closure, and race. Results: The highest incidence rates in the period were among Afro-Brazilians, yellow, and indigenous peoples. The cases affected mainly adult men living in urban areas. Indigenous peoples showed the highest rates of notifications among people aged less than 10 years (12%). In the sputum test, missing information and not-performed exams reached more than 50.0% in all periods and groups. The cure was more prevalent among white people (66.2%); indigenous, brown, and Afro-Brazilian people presented the lowest cure rates: 59.4, 58.4, and 60%, respectively. Conclusion: Tuberculosis is one of the biggest problems in Rio Grande do Sul. The actions of diagnosis, clinical form, and treatment of the cases have not been implemented as proposed. The indigenous peoples' situation is similar and diverse at the same time in comparison with other peoples from different areas of Brazil. Nevertheless, it is unfavorable on a balanced evaluation of the whole scenario. Furthermore, the discrepancies among races are evident: the indigenous and Afro-Brazilian peoples fill the spread sheet, in general terms, on the worst situation, whereas the white people fill the data with the best health situation.