Deaths by tuberculosis in a priority city for disease control in the Brazilian Northeast: sociodemographic-operational characteristics and vulnerable territories.

Introduction: Incorporating spatial approaches into epidemiological research is a challenge in public health research. The goal in this study was to analyze the spatial distribution of cases of deaths by tuberculosis in Imperatriz – MA (Brazil) and to characterize these events according to sociodemographic and operational characteristics. Methods: In this ecological study, all deaths from tuberculosis as the primary cause registered in the Mortality Information System from 2005 to 2014 were considered. The research variables were subject to descriptive analysis, point density analysis (Kernel Intensity Estimation) and area analysis. Results: Fifty cases of deaths by TB were identified, particularly the pulmonary clinical form. Male patients were predominant, with a median age of 59 years, mulatto race/color, single, who had finished secondary education. Most deaths happened at the hospital, with medical care before death and without autopsy. Most events happened at the hospital, with medical care delivery by an assistant physician and without autopsy. The point density revealed heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of the deaths, with rates of up to 2.33 deaths/km2. The area analysis by census sector presented age standardized mortality rates of 0.00 to 4.00 deaths/100,000 inhabitants-year. Conclusion: The results contributed to the knowledge on the spatial distribution of cases of deaths by Tuberculosis and their characteristics in the research scenario. The importance of space is highlighted as a methodological alternative to support the planning, monitoring and assessment of health actions, targeting interventions to the control of the disease in vulnerable territories. Keywords: Tuberculosis; Health Information Systems; Mortality; Spatial analysis