Introduction:

In Cuba, progressive goals are set for the elimination of tuberculosis in children.

Objective:

Assess inequalities in the occurrence of tuberculosis in children less than 15 years in five western Cuban provinces and their municipalities.

Methods:

Ecological study of time series in the following provinces: Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Havana, Mayabeque and Matanzas. The data came from the Surveillance System of the Ministry of Public Health. The number of cases and reporting rates per 100,000 inhabitants were assessed. Percentages by age group were calculated, and the annual rates, their variations in 2011-2015 and trends were assessed through simple linear regression. The geometric means of the rates were estimated; the lower was the reference for calculating absolute and relative differences. Provinces and their municipalities were stratified according to progressive goals for TB elimination.

Results:

Western provinces reported 56.1% of the total in Cuba. Pinar del Río was the reference province, showing a 100% reduction in its rate. The trend in Havana and Mayabeque was slightly upward with rates 17 and 14 times higher than the reference rate. Artemisa, Matanzas and Pinar del Río were in pre-elimination stage; five municipalities in Havana, two in Mayabeque and one in Matanzas are in a very advanced far-control.

Conclusions:

TB inequalities in children under 15 years old for some provinces are relevant, so control must be strengthened steadily in Havana and Mayabeque.

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