The epidemiology of tuberculosis in the Pacific, 2000 to 2013

Authors

  • Kerri Viney Research Fellow, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
  • Damian Hoy Secretariat of the Pacific Community Noumea, New Caledonia
  • Adam Roth Secretariat of the Pacific Community Noumea, New Caledonia
  • Paul Kelly ACT Government Australian National University
  • David Harley National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University
  • Adrian Sleigh National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2015.6.1.001

Abstract

Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant public health challenge in the 22 Pacific island countries and territories. Using TB surveillance data and World Health Organization (WHO) estimates from 2000 to 2013, we summarize the epidemiology of TB in the Pacific.

Methods: This was a descriptive study of incident TB cases reported annually by Pacific island national TB programmes to WHO. We counted cases and calculated proportions and case notification rates per 100 000 population. We calculated the proportion of TB patients who completed TB treatment and summed estimates of national incidence, prevalence and mortality, provided by WHO, to produce regional incidence, prevalence and mortality rates per 100 000 population.

Results: Estimated TB incidence in the Pacific has remained high but stable from 2000 to 2013; estimated prevalence and mortality have fallen by 20% and 47%, respectively. The TB case notification rate increased by 58%, from 146 to 231 per 100 000 population in the same time period. In 2013, 24 145 TB cases were notified, most (94% or 22 657) were from Papua New Guinea. Kiribati had the highest TB case notification rate at 398 cases per 100 000 population. TB case notification rates were also high in Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu (309, 283 and 182, respectively).

Discussion: TB in the Pacific is improving in some areas; however, high rates affect many countries and the estimated regional incidence rate is stable. To further reduce the burden of TB, a combination of dedicated public health and system-wide approaches are required along with poverty reduction and social protection initiatives.

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Published

19-08-2015

How to Cite

1.
Viney K, Hoy D, Roth A, Kelly P, Harley D, Sleigh A. The epidemiology of tuberculosis in the Pacific, 2000 to 2013. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2015 Aug. 19 [cited 2026 Mar. 25];6(3). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/295

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 3 (2015): July – September

Section

Original Research

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