[Tuberculosis epidemiology in Silesia Voivodship (Poland) between 1994-2004].

The incidence of tuberculosis in Poland is about 2-3 times higher than average for E.U. countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate tuberculosis epidemiology in Silesia Voivodship (region where 12% of Polish citizens live) against the background of the country (Poland). The paper presents actual TB epidemiology situation (incidence, prevalence, morbidity and mortality from TB in Silesia and in Poland) as well as its trends observed between 1994-2004. The regional incidence in 2004 was 36% lower than in 1994, but 28 per 100,000 population is still higher than 24.9 per 100,000 observed in Poland. The incidence of tuberculosis increases with age, 0.8 in children aged 0-14 years, up to 48.0 among 65 and older. In 2004 incidence in the age groups 20-44 and 45-64 years (23.7 and 46.9 respectively) was much higher than average observed in Poland (20.3 and 39.5 respectively), as well the proportion of new cases in this age groups. The TB incidence in men (41.7) is 2.6 times higher than in women (15.2). Between 1998-2004 in Silesia Voivodship morbidity was growing and in 2004 was 60.6 per 100,000. In the year 2000 TB mortality was almost two times higher in Silesia (4.4) than the average in Poland (2.4). Epidemiological situation of tuberculosis in Silesia Voivodship between 1994-2004 improved but is still bad. To correct this situation it is necessary to improve the process of fast diagnosis and effective therapy.