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Vol. 6 - Num. 21

Original Papers

Tuberculosis infection prevalence in 11 to 14 years old adolescents in Palencia

Ana M.ª Sacristán Martína, Irene Casares Alonsob, MJ Lage García

aPediatra. CS Arturo Eyries. Valladolid. España.
bPediatra. CS de Venta de Baños. Palencia. España.

Correspondence: AM Sacristán. E-mail: sacristan@compalencia.org

Reference of this article: Sacristán Martín AM, Casares Alonso I, Lage García MJ. Tuberculosis infection prevalence in 11 to 14 years old adolescents in Palencia. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 2004;6:9-17.

Published in Internet: 31-03-2004 - Visits: 8997

Abstract

Introduction: the tuberculosis infection is still a pending subject for the Spanish Public Health System, with bigger figures than we could expect for our level of development. Objectives: to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis infection in young teenagers in the health area of Palencia. Patients and methods: 360 adolescents were studied between the ages of 11 to 14 in the province of Palencia. Their clinic histories were revised and a short questionnaire was carried out in order to detect risk factors that were unnoticed in the clinic history. Results: the global prevalence of the tuberculosis infection was 2,5% but in patients without risk factors it was only 0,87%. The only outstanding risk factor was the previous contact with an affected adult with active tuberculosis. The contact with an adult having a chronic cough in the coalfield of Guardo may also be a factor of risk. The infected children had a higher average age than the other children but they were not different in relation to the other factors studied. Conclusions: the prevalence of tuberculosis infection is less than 1%, for this reason the active search for children without risk factors has been rejected. The necessity to increase the control of the infection is considered in every respect.

Keywords

Adolescent Tuberculosis infection

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