[Tuberculous infection in schoolchildren in the 1st year of basic general education in the Murcia region (1985-1992)].
OBJECTIVE
To find the evolution of the prevalence of tubercular infection.


METHODS
Study of the tendency of the findings from crossover surveys carried out during the last 7 years.


METHODS
First-year EGB students from public and private schools in the Autonomous Community of Murcia.


METHODS
Performing the Mantoux intradermoreaction test with 2 UT of PPDRT23/TWEEN80 for the first 5 years and 5 UT of PPDCT68/TWEEN80 the last 2, with any induration over 5 mm. being considered positive. A clinical study of school students found positive and of their family contacts.


RESULTS
Coverage was established at about 80% (71,520 tests studied), with prevalence diminishing from 0.97% to 0.44%, this establishing a downward tendency (p < 0.001). 6.5% of the tuberculin-test positive students (21) and 2.8% of the family contacts (34) were diagnosed with tuberculosis.


CONCLUSIONS
At the moment we lack data to suggest an increase in endemic tuberculosis among the school population. The results mentioned justify tuberculosis surveys of school students, although low prevalence suggests that the age at which it is performed should be raised.
Navarro Alonso
J A
JA
Sección de Salud Infantil, Consejería de Sanidad, Murcia.
Hernando Arizaleta
L
L
Galvañ Olivares
F
F
Calle Urra
J E
JE
D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
Infección tuberculosa en escolares de 1st de EGB de la región de Murcia (1985-1992).