Active case finding of tuberculosis among nomads and semi-nomads in Puducherry

Abstract

Context: Tuberculosis (TB), is a global epidemic and communicable disease that accounts for increased global mortality and morbidity. India is also marching towards the elimination of tuberculosis by 2025 with this background we conducted this study. Aims: To identify the undiagnosed TB cases in nomadic and semi-nomadic populations of Puducherry. Settings and Design: A community-based cross-sectional study was done among nomads and semi-nomads in Puducherry for four months between May 2022 to September 2022 after getting the Institute’s ethical committee approval. Methods and Material: After obtaining written consent/assent, a pretested semi structured questionnaire was used to record the data. The questionnaire consists of three parts that include, sociodemographic details and history specific to tuberculosis based on operational definitions such as presumptive TB and physical examination. Those participants fulfilling the criteria for presumptive TB was provided a Falcon tube for spot sample. The participants were explained the procedure to collect the sputum and its quality was verified by the principal investigator before sending it to the laboratory. Statistical analysis used: Data was analysed with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS Inc, Chicago, Illinois, USA) software version 16.0 and Microsoft Excel 2016. Frequencies and percentages were estimated for categorical data. Results: Our study showed 6.25% was the proportion of presumptive TB cases in our study population. In the presumptive TB cases 60% belonged to age >45yrs 80% belonged to the male gender and all of them belonged to lower socioeconomic status. The macro-environment findings of those presumptive TB cases were 80% belonged Kutcha houses, with poor ventilation and overcrowding present. Their co-morbidity status indicates 60% were diabetics and 20% were hypertensive. Their predominant findings were 80% reported Cough and 20% fever, significant weight loss. No contact history of TB was found. When these presumptive TB cases underwent microbiological examination, none were sputum positive. Conclusions: This study showed ACF helped to identify presumptive TB in an effective way and needs large-scale screening to identify sputum-positive cases.