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Tuberculosis in New South Wales.
A J Plant1, R L Rushworth, Q N Wang
1Department of Public Health, University of Sydney, NSW.
The Medical Journal of Australia
|January 21, 1991
Summary
Tuberculosis surveillance in New South Wales relies on case notification and public health nurse follow-up. Findings show high infection rates in Southeast Asian individuals and a significant number of long-term residents, emphasizing improved tuberculosis control programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Tuberculosis Control
Background:
- Tuberculosis surveillance in New South Wales (NSW) is crucial for monitoring and controlling the disease.
- Effective surveillance relies on timely case notification by medical practitioners and diligent follow-up by dedicated public health nurses.
- Evaluating surveillance data helps identify infection patterns and target interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze tuberculosis surveillance data from New South Wales for 1986.
- To identify trends in tuberculosis cases, including demographic and residency factors.
- To highlight areas for improvement in tuberculosis surveillance and control programs in NSW.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of tuberculosis case notifications received by the NSW Department of Health in 1986.
- Categorization of cases by disease presentation (pulmonary vs. non-pulmonary) and country of origin.
- Analysis of patient residency status in Australia at the time of diagnosis.
Main Results:
- In 1986, 290 cases of tuberculosis were notified in NSW.
- The majority of cases (72.8%) presented with pulmonary tuberculosis.
- The highest infection rates were observed in individuals from Southeast Asian countries, with a notable proportion (23.1%) diagnosed after residing in Australia for 10+ years.
Conclusions:
- Tuberculosis surveillance data provides valuable insights into infection patterns within NSW.
- Specific populations, including recent immigrants and long-term residents, require targeted public health interventions.
- Continued efforts are necessary to enhance tuberculosis surveillance and control programs in New South Wales.