[Tuberculous infection in schoolchildren in the 1st year of basic general education in the Murcia region (1985-1992)].

OBJECTIVE

To find the evolution of the prevalence of tubercular infection.

DESIGN

Study of the tendency of the findings from crossover surveys carried out during the last 7 years.

SETTING

First-year EGB students from public and private schools in the Autonomous Community of Murcia.

INTERVENTION

Performing the Mantoux intradermoreaction test with 2 UT of PPDRT23/TWEEN80 for the first 5 years and 5 UT of PPDCT68/TWEEN80 the last 2, with any induration over 5 mm. being considered positive. A clinical study of school students found positive and of their family contacts.

RESULTS

Coverage was established at about 80% (71,520 tests studied), with prevalence diminishing from 0.97% to 0.44%, this establishing a downward tendency (p < 0.001). 6.5% of the tuberculin-test positive students (21) and 2.8% of the family contacts (34) were diagnosed with tuberculosis.

CONCLUSIONS

At the moment we lack data to suggest an increase in endemic tuberculosis among the school population. The results mentioned justify tuberculosis surveys of school students, although low prevalence suggests that the age at which it is performed should be raised.