International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-78023120110716816ENIMS Health Shanghai, ChinaAssociate Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Skovde.2011050320110714<p>Objective: To identify the relationship between socioeconomic <br />status, health system development and the incidence, prevalence and mortality of&nbsp; tuberculosis in Asia and the Pacific.<br />Methods: Incidence, prevalence and mortality rates of&nbsp; tuberculosis and 20 variables of&nbsp; socioeconomic, health system and biological behavioral issues were included in the study involving all 46 countries of&nbsp; the Asian Development Bank region (2007 data). Both univariate and multivariate linear regressions were used.<br />Results: The worst three tuberculosis affected countries were <br />Cambodia, India and Indonesia, while the least affected was <br />Australia. Tuberculosis incidence, prevalence and mortality rate <br />were higher in countries with lower human development index, <br />corruption perception index, gross domestic product (GDP) <br />per capita and countries with more people under minimum food <br />supplements. Among the health system variables, total health <br />expenditure per capita, governmental health expenditure per <br />capita, hospital beds, and access to improved water and sanitation were strongly associated with tuberculosis.<br />Conclusions: Socioeconomic determinants and health system <br />development have significant effect on the control of&nbsp; tuberculosis in Asia and the Pacific region. The study has some policy implications by means of&nbsp; lowering the corruption and improving the sanitation.<br />Keywords: Asia and the Pacific, health system development, <br />socioeconomic status, tuberculosis</p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/179http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/179/376