Assessment of Epidemiological Determinants in Tuberculosis Patients Receiving DOTS under RNTCP

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a barrier to socio-economic development as the greatest burden of tuberculosis incidence and mortality in India is in adult and socio-demographic factors, are a major determinant of ill- health and barrier to health care. Methodology: Out of six Designated Microscopy Centres in Ujjain city (Madhya Pradesh), two DMCs were selected. 241 patients were included in the study from registered 253 patients. Results: Mean age of subjects was 35.9 ± 13.8 years. Tuberculosis was more common in males, >3/4th participants had pulmonary tuberculosis. Nearly 1/5th of participants were illiterate (24.5%), <1/3rd participants were unemployed and less than half were unskilled workers. Majority (2/3rd) belonged to class IV according to Kuppuswamy’s scale of socio economic status. 66.8% study participants were married. Nearly 2/3rd participants were from nuclear family & living in kuccha or semi-pucca houses. More than 3/4th participants were vegetarian and 44.4 % study participants were living in overcrowding. Tobacco consumption was prevalent in half of participants while alcoholism in < 1/4th subjects. One fifth participants had history of pre-existing illness and treatment. Conclusion: Epidemiological characteristic like age, type of tuberculosis, literacy, occupation, economic status, marital status, type of family and living conditions like overcrowding, type of house have effect on development of tuberculosis.

Keywords

• Tuberculosis
• Socio-demography
• Epidemiology
• Occupation
• overcrowding