PREVALENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN CENTRAL ASIA AND SOUTHERN CAUCASUS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

ABSTRACT In 2023, tuberculosis (TB) caused an estimated 1.25 million deaths globally, including 161,000 among people with HIV. After being temporarily surpassed by COVID-19, TB has likely returned as the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus remain high-burden regions, with Mongolia showing the highest TB prevalence. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current data on TB prevalence in Central Asia, Southern Caucasus, and Mongolia to support public health strategies and research priorities. A comprehensive search of PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted for English-language articles published up to 2023. Studies were assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Nine studies met inclusion criteria, covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. TB incidence ranged from 67 per 100,000 in Kazakhstan to 190 per 100,000 in Kyrgyzstan, with a prevalence of 68.5% in Mongolia. TB affected men more frequently (65.3%), with key risk factors including HIV (30.5%), comorbidities, and undernutrition. Drug-resistant TB imposed a significant economic burden, with treatment costs ranging from $106 to $3,125. Strengthening surveillance, improving data collection, and conducting longitudinal studies are essential for designing effective TB control strategies in these regions.