The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for tuberculosis, in adults from Pelotas. Cases were recruited in the Sanitary Unit of Tuberculosis (June/1994 to June/1995). At the same time, population controls matched by sex and age were randomly selected, and the same questionnaire was applied for cases and controls. The notified incidence of tuberculosis in Pelotas was 72.4/100.000 inhabitants. Statistical analysis showed the following crude odds ratios: 10.8 (social class E), 5.4 (family income < 1 minimum salary) and 6.6 (illiterate people). The risk for non-whites was 4.7; crowding and history of contact with tuberculosis presented risks of 3.1 and 5.3, respectively. Alcoholism presented a risk of 4.3 and diseases associated with tuberculosis presented a risk of 3.6; history of diabetes and living near mines did not show an association with tuberculosis. Mine workers had a risk of 4.0. In the multivariate analysis using conditional logistic regression the following risks remained statistically significant after controlling for confounding factors: contact with tuberculosis (8.2), alcoholism (4.0), mine worker (4.7) and non-white (3.1). The incidence of tuberculosis in Pelotas is very high and most risk factors are preventable and can be reduced.
Tuberculosis; Adults; Incidence; Risk factors
