[Epidemiology of tuberculosis and current approaches to improving measures against tuberculosis among adolescents]

The specific features of the epidemiological process and clinical forms of tuberculosis in Vladivostok adolescents treated in 1999 to 2006 were studied. Two periods were identified: 1) from 1999 to 2002 when fluorographic studies were annually made and 2) from 2003 to 2006 when fluorography was carried out every two years. It was established that during Period 2, there was a rise in tuberculosis morbidity among adolescents, which was attended by an increase in the number of patients with open and destructive forms. Adolescents aged 17 years, girls, first-year students were found to be more frequently ill. 41.1% of the patients underwent a fluorographic study less than a year ago. The foregoing generates the necessity of submitting the medical documentation of enrollees and first-year students along with the data of a fluorographic study and tuberculin tests.