Elimination of tuberculosis as a public health problem: consensus for its definition

[摘要] Introduction: Tuberculosis has remained an important health problem. Considerable global effort has been aimed at its elimination.Objectives: Briefly review the evolution of theories about the elimination of tuberculosis and define an approach to its progressive assessment.Methods: A document review and historical-logical analysis were conducted of definitions about TB elimination. A description is provided of the classification of Cuban provinces based on their incidence rates and the achievement of progressive "step by step" goals.Results: The initial idea of eradicating tuberculosis prevailing in the 1960s was replaced by elimination in the 1980s, with more or less ambitious alternatives which reached consensus in the "stop tuberculosis" plan of 2006-2015, implemented as part of the Global Tuberculosis Program of the World Health Organization. Of the 15 Cuban provinces, 14 and the special municipality of the Isle of Youth were at the stage of ultra-control in 2011-2013 (incidence <10/100 000 inhabitants), and one province was at the stage of satisfactory control (10 -14.9/100 000 inhabitants). It seems wise to set up partial progressive "step by step" goals to comparatively monitor progress toward the goal of < 1 tuberculosis case / million inhabitants.Conclusion: The strategic consensus achieved about the elimination of tuberculosis as a public health problem is an important component of national plans whose evaluation may be complemented with partial progressive goals for each sub-stage.

[学科分类] 传染病学

[关键词] tuberculosis;control;eliminación;Cuba