ACTIVE CASE-FINDING OF TUBERCULOSIS FROM RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMATICS FROM THREE ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS OF BRASÍLIA – DF

ntroduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates in 5% the prevalence of respiratory symptomatics (RS) in underdeveloped countries. This institution emphasizes the early diagnosis in patients with pulmonary TB to control this disease. Objective: to estimate the number of RS in the Administrative Regions of Itapoã, Vila Estrutural and Varjão, aiming to identify foci of TB in these communities. Methodology: descriptive, cross-sectional, for convenience study, by cluster sampling, 210 families settled in each of the three administrative regions. Those who reported cough for more than three weeks at the moment of the interviews were considered RS. At the end of the interviews, individuals identified underwent sputum examination for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB. Results: 630 families were visited and 1,139 people were interviewed. Of this total, 55 symptomatic patients (4.8%) were identified. There was a mean age of 39.5 years, with a predominance of low family income, ranging from 1 to 3 minimum salaries. Of this group, 27 (49.1%) were smokers. There was no positive sputum test. Conclusion: it is emphasized the need to keep investigating the disease in those regions, as long as they are under socia.