SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPL E WHO DIED FROM PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN THE STATE OF VERACRUZ, MEXICO, 1993

Objective. We describe the socio-demographic and medical care characte ristics of people who died of pulmonary tuberculosis in 1993 in the st ate of Veracruz, Mexico. Material and methods. Once selected, through death certificate, an interview and verbal autopsy was applied to the closest available relative. Results. A total of 300 interviews were ca rried out. Half of the deaths were diagnosed with tuberculosis the sam e year they died. Approximately half of the deceased withdrew from tre atment and 40% reported abuse of alcohol consumption Patients who died of pulmonary tuberculosis belonged to the most vulnerable social grou ps, 35% were illiterate or had no education, and 67% lacked a regular job. There were no differences found between those who used private me dical services and those who used official or public services. Conclus ions, Important findings include the high proportion of patients diagn osed in advanced stages of the disease, alcoholism, adverse reactions to drugs as a cause of withdrawal from treatment, and other current di seases at the time of tuberculosis diagnosis.