Are the Roma population risk group for tuberculosis

Introduction: The latest data by WHO show that 80% of TB cases in Europe are in the countries which have numerous Roma population. The number of Roma in Macedonia is 53 870 (2.66%). Aim: Our aim was to find out what is their participation in the total number of TB patients, what is their incidence and are they a risk group for TB and possible reasons for that. Patients and methods: For this purpose we analyzed data in latest six (6) years with special accent on Roma population with TB (gender, age, incidence). Results: We had 563 patients with TB in 2007; the incidence was 27.8/100 000 for general population, but the incidence for Roma people was 74.2/100 000. The next year incidence in Roma population was 59.4/100 000 and in general population 23.8/100 000. In 2009 the incidence in Roma population was 42.6/100 000 and in general population 23.4/100 000. The next year the incidence in Roma people was 70.5/100 000 and in general population 20.8/100 000. In 2011 the incidence in Roma people was 51.9/100 000 and in general population 17.9/100 000. The last year there were 356 regsitrated TB patients in the country with incidence of 17,2/100 000. The incidence of Roma people was 46,4/100 000. Conclusions: Roma are more vulnerable community. They are risk group for TB because their incidence is three times higher than in general population. Possible reasons for this are: substandard living conditions, lack of education and low rate of employment.