title: Tuberculosis in indigenous communities of Antioquia, Colombia: epidemiology and beliefs.
abstract: Morbidity and mortality caused by tuberculosis are increased in most of the Latin-American indigenous communities. Factors that could explain this situation are poverty and limited health services access due to social conflicts and geographical isolation. We determined the frequency of tuberculosis in Colombian indigenous communities and described their knowledge related to transmission and control. We developed a descriptive study and health survey. Interviews were performed to find ancestral knowledge about tuberculosis. Sputum samples from patients with respiratory symptoms were analyzed. 10 indigenous communities were studied, which tuberculosis incidence was 291/100,000. Communities believe that tuberculosis is a body and spirit disease, which transmission is by direct contact or by witchcraft. Tuberculosis incidence in the studied communities was ninefold higher than that of the general population from Antioquia Department. Knowledge exchange could facilitate the community empowerment and implementation of educational activities which might improve the control of the disease.
authors: Bacteriology and Mycobacteriology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Carrera 72 A No 78 B-141, Medellín, Colombia. jhernandez@cib.org.co
authors: José Mauricio
authors: JM
authors: Hernández Sarmiento
authors: Victoria Lucia
authors: VL
authors: Dávila Osorio
authors: Lina María
authors: LM
authors: Martínez Sánchez
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Restrepo Serna
authors: Diana Carolina
authors: DC
authors: Grajales Ospina
authors: Andrés Eduardo
authors: AE
authors: Toro Montoya
authors: Verónica
authors: V
authors: Arango Urrea
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Vargas Grisales
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Estrada Gómez
authors: Johan Sebastián
authors: JS
authors: Lopera Valle
authors: Juan José
authors: JJ
authors: García Gil
authors: Lady
authors: L
authors: Restrepo
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Mejía
authors: Elsa
authors: E
authors: Zapata
authors: Verónica
authors: V
authors: Gómez
authors: Diver
authors: D
authors: Lopera
authors: José Leonardo
authors: JL
authors: Domicó Domicó
authors: Jaime
authors: J
authors: Robledo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007199:Indians, South American / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology*