Malta, the smallest island state in Europe, with an approximate population of 400,000, has one of the lowest reported incidence rates for tuberculosis (TB) in its native-born population.1 Long- term trends for TB among this population were investigated.
A period of 35 years (1979-2013) for the Malta-born population was investigated using single-age population numbers for each year, retrospective, and partly prospective analysis of notified TB cases. Mean five-yearly populations were then used to calculate 5- yearly incidence rates for birth-cohorts, age-groups, major site and gender. Annual reported TB incidence rates were also calculated.
In the Malta-born population, over the 35- year period, reported yearly TB incidence shows a downward, albeit decelerating trend. Consecutive follow-up of 5-year age-cohorts and 5-year age-groups confirms that incidence has fallen, with the highest rates being observed in progressively older age-groups. A falling trend in TB incidence according major site and gender was also observed.
TB is being successfully controlled among the Malta-born population, and confirmed to be slowly approaching the elimination phase.peer-reviewe
