Publication:

Socio-economic profile and risk factors among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Madurai, India: a cross sectional study

Background This study has been carried out to assess the socio-economic profile and underlying risk factors of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients registered under RNTCP programme of India and to find the differences based on their residential place.

Methods The study design was cross sectional consisting of 167 PTB patients from three DOTS centres in Madurai, Tamilnadu during August 2015. Data was collected using a questionnaire that included personal details, socio-economic and risk factors.

Results PTB was most prevalent in the age group of 35–54 years both in the urban (46.7%) and rural (49.4%) side. In the urban population, 67 (74.4%) were men whereas in the rural population they were 53 (68.8%). Maximum of the study subjects were from nuclear family (67.8% in urban and 89.6% in rural). About 20% of the patients studied were illiterates irrespective of their residential place. Labourers were 37% in urban area and 49% in rural area. Smoking, alcoholism and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) were more common among urban PTB patients while under-nutrition and poor housing among rural PTB patients.

Conclusions The study has concluded that the usual epidemiological pattern of PTB has been observed in both urban and rural setup as reported by other researchers. Socio-economic status and risk factors have played a vital role for treatment success. To eradicate Tuberculosis (TB), a holistic and interdisciplinary approach would be necessary to improve the socio-economic status along with proper screening and treatment of underlying risk factors. More precise health education and proper awareness programmes have to be implemented from the grass-root level to get rid of TB.