THE CURRENT PROBLEM OF TUBERCULOSIS IN THE RIVNE REGION

Abstract

Topicality. Despite significant achievements in medicine regarding the treatment of tuberculosis patients inrecent years, the tuberculosis epidemic has not been eliminated and is even gaining momentum in some regions of Ukraine.The main problems of the tuberculosis epidemic in the Rivne region include the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis, co-infection with HIV, AIDS, and COVID-19. An important issue is the inconsistency in the tuberculosis service and its financing, which depend on the country’s financial situation, as well as the deterioration of the material and technicalbase and the reduction of the human resources in the anti-tuberculosis service. Therefore, studying this problem is crucial.Aim. To study the valeological aspects of tuberculosis infection and analyze the incidence of tuberculosis in thepopulation of Ukraine and the Rivne region, in particular, to plan measures to reduce its level.Materials and methods. The research employed theoretical methods (review of literature, statistical data analysis, and generalization of laboratory research data) and laboratory methods, including bacterioscopic (smear microscopy), bacteriological (sputum culture on nutrient media, determination of the sensitivity of M. tuberculosis cultures toantimycobacterial drugs), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.Research results. The research was conducted in the clinical diagnostic laboratory of the Rivne Regional Phthisiopulmonary Medical Center from 2019 to 2023. The prevalence, morbidity, and mortality rates of tuberculosis in the Rivne region were determined. The prevalence of all forms of active tuberculosis in the region was 49.9, while the first registered incidence and its relapses were 51.3 cases per 100,000 population. The average regional mortality ratedecreased from 8.5 to 5.3 per 100000 population.Conclusions. Tuberculosis remains a social problem in the Rivne region, reflecting the socio-economic state of the country. Significant efforts are required from the state, public, and medical services to combat tuberculosis effectively. The epidemiological situation regarding tuberculosis in the Rivne region remains tense.