Association between household solid fuel use and tuberculosis: cross-sectional data from the Mongolian National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey

Abstract

Background Tuberculosis (TB) and indoor air pollution (IAP) are equally critical public health issues in the developing world. Mongolia is experiencing the double burden of TB and IAP due to solid fuel combustion. However, no study has assessed the relationship between household solid fuel use and TB in Mongolia. The present study aimed to assess the association between household solid fuel use and TB based on data from the Mongolian National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey (MNTP Survey). Method The MNTP Survey was a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional survey targeting households in Mongolia from 2014 to 2015, with the aim of evaluating the prevalence of TB. The survey adopted a multistage cluster sampling design in accordance with the World Health Organization prevalence survey guidelines. Clusters with at least 500 residents were selected by random sampling. A sample size of 98 clusters with 54,100 participants was estimated to be required for the survey, and 41,450 participants were included in the final analysis of the present study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on environmental and individual factors related to TB. Physical examination, chest X-ray, and sputum examinations were also performed to diagnose TB. Results The use of solid fuels for heating (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–2.1), male gender (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.6–3.2), divorced or widowed (aOR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.7–3.8), daily smoker (aOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3–2.5), contact with an active TB case (aOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2–2.3), being underweight (aOR: 3.7; 95% CI: 2.4–5.7), and previous history of TB (aOR: 4.3; 95% CI: 3.0–6.1) were significantly associated with bacteriologically confirmed TB after adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusion The use of solid fuels for heating was significantly associated with active TB in Mongolian adults. Increased public awareness is needed on the use of household solid fuels, a source of IAP.

Indoor Solid Fuel Use and Non-Neoplastic Digestive System Diseases: A Population-Based Cohort Study Among Chinese Middle-Aged and Older Population

“…Several epidemiological types of research have reported evidence across countries and populations on the relationship between IAP and a wide range of adverse health events, including cardiovascular events [ 17 ], cardiopulmonary mortality [ 18 ], active tuberculosis [ 19 ], cervical cancer [ 20 ], incident arthritis [ 21 ], cognitive impairment [ 22 ]. Besides, limited empirical evidence on the relationship of air pollution with digestive diseases has been proposed [ 10 , 12 , 13 ].…”

Correction to: Figure 3 in Association between household solid fuel use and tuberculosis: cross-sectional data from the Mongolian National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey

“…Following the publication of the original article [1] the authors noticed a graphing error in the Figure 3. The Figure 3 needs to be replaced with the updated graph as shown below.…”