This study evaluated the frequency of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the associated horizontal risk factors in children being screened for viral hepatitis in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods Children aged 15 years or younger who were brought to a specialized outpatient viral hepatitis clinic affiliated with a tertiary hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, for viral hepatitis screening from March 2017 to March 2018 were enrolled. Children were screened for HBV and HCV infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; if results were positive, HBV and HCV concentrations were quantitatively assayed by polymerase chain reaction. Children positive for HBV or HCV infection were matched with 100 controls of the same age and sex. All subjects completed a questionnaire on viral infection and its associated risk factors.

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Defaulters from tuberculosis treatment are at risk for clinical deterioration and complications including MDR, XDR and death. The objectives of the study were to identify various risk factors associated with Tuberculosis default patients& to assess the timing & pattern of treatment interruption. For this cross sectional study eligible patients for the study included TB patients (New cases or defaulters), Patients were identified from the TCU registers and Contacted to answer a questionnaire. For each case two defaulters were also interviewed on already formulated; pretested questionnaire in their respective homes. Relevant DOTS providers were also interviewed. Four TB default patients were found registered during study period of one year in district Pulwama & eight non-defaulters (Treatment completed/cured). Major reasons for default included side effects of anti TB drugs, patients put on non-DOTS & patients beginning to feel better/cured. The high prevalence of TB default patients mandates interventions in the form of introducing Non-DOTS under RNTCP, improving health education regarding benefits of treatment completion by DOTS staff.

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis is a disease of global public health concern. Knowledge about cause, mode of transmission, duration of treatment among TB/default patients is of utmost importance. Objectives-To assess the knowledge about Tuberculosis in Tuberculosis and default patients, and to understand sociodemographic characteristics of patients who defaulted from RNTCP treatment regimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS For this case control study, eligible patients for the study were identified from the TCU registers and contacted to answer a questionnaire. Whole Kashmir valley was selected for sampling. For each case of default, two controls (Cured/ Treatment completed) were interviewed on already formulated, pretested questionnaire in their respective homes. A total of 61 cases (Default) and 122 Controls (Cured/Treatment Completed) were taken up for study. RESULTS 27.9% of the study population belonged to district Baramulla, 27.9% from district Budgam, 26.2% from district Srinagar, 11.5% from district Anantnag followed by 6.6% from district Pulwama. Only 18% of default patients attributed TB to microbe, 42.6% of the default patients did not know the cause of TB. The association of default with knowledge about cause of TB was found to be statistically significant (p value 0.02). 44.3% of default patients did not know how TB spreads, only 26.4% of the default patients stated mode of spread of TB by air. The association of TB with mode of spread was found to be significant statistically (p value 0.02). 49.2% of default patients stated 6 months as duration of treatment; however, 91.8% of controls mentioned 6 months as duration of treatment of TB. The association of knowledge about duration of treatment with default was found to be highly significant statistically (p value 0.001). Cough was the most common symptom present in 78.7% of default patients followed by fever in 52.5%, haemoptysis in 32.8% and weight loss was seen in 24.6% of default patients. CONCLUSION There is a wide gap in factors pertaining to knowledge about Tuberculosis and duration of treatment among Cases and Controls.