Tuberculosis mortality in Brazilian capitals, 2008-2010.

Objective: to analyze the association between tuberculosis mortality and socio-demographics and health indicators in the capitals of Brazilian states and the Federal District.

Methods: this is an ecological study whose outcome was the standardized coefficient of tuberculosis mortality in the 2008-2010 period; the independent variables comprised 16 indicators, grouped into three blocks; Pearson correlation test and multiple linear regression were applied for analysis.

Results: 4,744 deaths from tuberculosis were registered in the 27 municipalities (2.7 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants); the following indicators were associated with tuberculosis mortality (p<0.10): income inequality (Gini index of monthly income of individuals over 10 years old: β=0.454; 95%CI 6.21;28.51), proportion of migrants in the municipality (β=0.537 95%CI 0.12;0.31), poor black-skinned individuals (β=0.302 95%CI 0.004;0.109) and coefficient of Tb/HIV coinfection (β=0.449 95%CI 0.05;0.28).

Conclusion: tuberculosis mortality was higher in capitals with greater income inequality, migration, poverty among black-skinned individuals and occurrence of Tb/HIV coinfection.