[Sociodemographic characteristics of the immigrant population with a diagnosis of tuberculosis in the autonomous community of Madrid (Spain)].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the social and demographic characteristics of immigrant patients diagnosed of tuberculosis in the Community of Madrid. PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD: Descriptive study. The information was gathered from the patients diagnosed in 15 hospitals of the Community of Madrid, and 3 primary health Red Cross facilities. Criteria for inclusion: to be tuberculosis diagnosed during the year 2003, to be economic immigrant, to be older than 15 year-old, and not to be in prison. RESULTS: 312 persons were identified. 296 were included in the study. Main nationalities: Ecuador (27.4%) and Morocco (19.3%). The 18.9% of the population does not have health insurance. The time between the arrival to Spain and the illness was 29.5 months. The 66.9% of the cases lived with some relatives. The 63.2% of the active population worked in the informal economy. The main risk factors was to be risk drinker. CONCLUSIONS: To know the social and sanitary situation of immigrant patients diagnosed of tuberculosis is base to adapt the control programs to a new epidemiologist and social situation.