The Prevalence of TB/HIV Coinfection in Elderly in the Metropolitan Region of Belém-Pará, Brazil

Objectives: This study aims to investigate in secondary databases the prevalence of TB / HIV co-infection in the elderly in the metropolitan region of Belém-Pará, Brazil, in the 2001-2018 historical series.

Methodology: This is an epidemiological, retrospective study with a quantitative approach. Data collection was carried out in the database of SINAN/TB (Notifiable Information System/ Tuberculosis) of the State Secretariat of Public Health (SESPA), using records of confirmed cases of tuberculosis in the elderly in the metropolitan region of Belém, between 2001 and 2018, available for public consultation.

Results: 110 cases of co-infection were found in the elderly between 2001 and 2018 in the Metropolitan Region of Belém, with a predominance of males, aged between 60 and 69 years, mixed race and ignored/blank education. The clinical-epidemiological variables resulted in the prevalence of new cases and in the pulmonary clinical form, in addition to the absence of information in the extrapulmonary form.

Conclusion: The elderly are more vulnerable to pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV infection, and the presence of co-infection in this population is extremely harmful and even fatal. Therefore, conducting early detection is essential for disease prevention, in addition to educational activities aimed at promoting information about the two pathologies, promoting self-responsibility for health, higher rates of appropriate treatment and better cure rates.