TEMPORAL TREND IN THE INCIDENCE OF REPORTED TUBERCULOSIS CASES IN MUNICIPALITIES OF THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF BELÉM/PARÁ, 2014 TO 2023

Introduction/Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important public health problem, especially in regions of greater social vulnerability. This study aimed to analyze the temporal trend in the incidence of reported TB cases in the municipalities of the Metropolitan Region of Belém (RMB), Pará, Brazil, between 2014 and 2023. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective, and ecological study, using secondary data obtained from SINAN. Overall and specific incidence coefficients were calculated by sex, age group, race/color, and TB-HIV coinfection. Pearson correlation tests and simple linear regression were applied. Results: A 42% increase in the overall incidence of TB was observed in the RMB, with emphasis on Santa Izabel do Pará (+371.8%). There was an increase of 56% among men and 20.6% among women. Young adults (25–44 years) accounted for most cases, and people self-identified as mixed-race represented about 75% of notifications. TB-HIV coinfection ranged from 10.7% (2014) to 12.2% (2023), with emphasis on Belém (15.7% in 2023). TB deaths increased by 39.6%. Statistical analyses indicated a significant positive correlation between time and incidence. Conclusion: The rise in tuberculosis incidence in the Metropolitan Region of Belém requires intensification of surveillance actions, early diagnosis, and tackling the social determinants of the disease, in order to reduce the tuberculosis burden and health inequalities.