TUBERCULOSIS EPIDEMIOLOGY IN THE TUNISIAN SAHEL

In Tunisia, despite a decrease of incidence in the last decades, tuber culosis was estimated at 25.3/100.000 in 1990, The present study descr ibes epidemiological and clinical profile of tuberculosis in the Tunis ian Sahel, between 1984 and 1990, During this period, incidence of tub erculosis cases decreased from 41.2/100.000 to 34.4/100.000; 695 cases recorded, out of which 66 % concerned male patients. The mean patient age was 32.7 years. The disease typically affected the low socioecono mic class. Direct examination of the sputum is the easiest and the mos t reliable assay to make a diagnosis. Pleuropulmonary presentations we re observed in 60 % of the cases, glandular localization in 17 %. Pati ent compliance was estimated at 84.5 % of the cases.