title: The epidemiology of tuberculosis in Pacific Island countries and territories: 2000-2007.
abstract: This is a descriptive study of routinely collected tuberculosis (TB) surveillance data from 19 Pacific Island countries and territories. The objectives of the study are to describe (a) the epidemiology of TB during the period 2000-2007 (with a focus on 2007), (b) progress against World Health Organization (WHO) targets, and (c) how TB control can be enhanced in the region. In 2007, there were 1544 cases of TB notified in the Pacific (excluding Papua New Guinea). The case notification rate was 52 per 100 000 population. The case detection rate for sputum smear positive cases in 2007 was 66%, slightly below the WHO target of 70%. The treatment success rate for new sputum smear positive cases in 2006 was 89%, above the WHO target of 85%. It is likely that the regional prevalence and mortality targets will be narrowly missed in 2010. There has been good progress in TB control in the Pacific region, but intensified efforts are needed to further reduce the burden of TB.
authors.affiliation: Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia. kerriv@spc.int
authors.forename: Kerr
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Viney
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiegandt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013183:Sputum; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014944:World Health Organization; D055815:Young Adult