Objective: Precise epidemiological data are essential to increase the efficiency of a tuberculosis (TB) control programme. In some countries significant numbers of TB cases go unrecorded or undetected. We aimed to investigate the incidence of TB in the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), to obtain more reliable data on the entire population.
Design: In 2001, all soldiers with a new diagnosis of TB were enrolled in the study based on the official records of 14 military hospitals. The demographic data of the cases were evaluated.
Results: Six hundred and twenty-nine conscripts with TB were detected. Of these, 574 were aged between 20-24 years and 392 were smear-positive. The incidences of TB and smear-positive cases in TAF conscripts were calculated at respectively 76 and 47 per 100,000 population. When the age and sex distribution of the Turkish population and TB cases in Turkey were considered, the incidences of all TB and smear-positive TB in Turkey were estimated at respectively 33 and 17/100,000. These numbers are very close to those estimated by the World Health Organization.
Conclusion: In countries where military service is compulsory and case detection rates are low, the TB incidence of the armed forces is a reliable reflection of the rate in the whole population.