Abstract

Objective: to identify spatial and space-time clusters of risk for tuberculosis and to characterize them according to social vulnerability. Methods: ecological study which considered cases of tuberculosis in the municipality of Sao Carlos-SP, in the period from 2008 to 2013; spatial scan statistic was applied; the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI:) were calculated; the Social Vulnerability Index of Sao Paulo State was used to characterize the clusters. Results: three clusters were identified: two of high risk (RR= 7.44; 95% CI: 4.73; 11.65 / RR= 6.94; 95% CI: 3.82; 12.57) and one of low risk (RR= 0.3; 95% CI: 0.35; 0.96); all the clusters presented very low and medium vulnerability; in the space-time analysis, two clusters presented high risk (RR= 12.6; 95% CI: 7.07; 19.58 / RR= 11.78; 95% CI: 6.00; 21.47), with the same tracts of spatial analysis and classification of social vulnerability. Conclusion: the results may address to specific actions for tuberculosis control considering the early detection of the cases in the areas with higher transmission of the disease.