A Study of Tuberculosis among Patients Visiting Regional Tuberculosis Centre in Central India- A Cross-sectional Study
LC15-LC20
Correspondence
Vikrant Singh Chauhan,
No. 3, Ladanbagh, Near Maharshi School, Balakot Road, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
E-mail: drvikrantsinghc@gmail.com
Introduction: Number of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DRTB) patients has increased. Determination of the causes of delay in timely diagnosis and treatment is one of the most important steps for complete cure. Delay in diagnosis and treatment of disease are important factors and these may arise from patients and by the healthcare system.
Aim: To study factors related to Tuberculosis (TB) patients visiting a regional DRTB centre in central India.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at DRTB centre, Lashkar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, from January 2019 to June 2019. Purposive sampling technique was used for data collection. Patients who visited the centre were requested to fill the performa regarding their TB status. Total 371 patients, who visited and filled the form, participated in the study. Patients were divided into drug resistant and drug sensitive patients. For the significant independent variables adjusted odds ratio and p-values were calculated. The p-values <0.05 was considered to be significant.
Results: Total 227 (61.2%) drug-resistant and 144 (38.8%) drug-sensitive patients were included in the study. Education played a significant role with only 5.7% and 6.9% of drug resistant and sensitive patients, respectively, developed disease. Overall, 186 (81.9%) participants took more than six months of treatment prior to final initiation of Proper Anti-Tubercular Treatment (ATT) were DRTB cases.
Conclusion: Delay in proper diagnosis and multiple visits to health facility and further delay in initiation of definitive treatment poses threat for emergence of drug resistance.