The scope of this study was to describe the trends of tuberculosis indicators in relation to their prevalence, incidence and the case outcome percentages (cure, abandonment of treatment or death) for the patients who entered in the Program in Sapucaia do Sul, state of Rio Grande do Sul, between 2000 and 2008. An ecological analysis of the incidence was conducted and the gross frequency rates and respective confidence intervals of 95% were presented. The rate estimates were verified by means of average annual percent change as well as the mobile averages every three years. The prevalence rate was 64.3 and the incidence rate was 58.0 per 100.000 inhabitants. Analysis of the indicators did not reveal statistically significant differences between the annual rates or in the mobile averages during the period. The outcomes were below the targets proposed by the World Health Organization, what compromises control of the disease, as it is not proving possible to interrupt the chain of transmission.
Tuberculosis; Prevalence; Incidence; Mortality; Following medication instructions
