Tuberculosis prevalence, knowledge of transmission and its association with vaccination of children

Abstract

Background: Understanding the perceptions of patients regarding tuberculosis (TB) will enable better design of a comprehensive, client-oriented program for the disease. Methods: This study was conducted district-wise across India in 2015–2016 as part of the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS). Results: We discovered that the prevalence of TB remains significantly high, with quite a high percentage of people being unaware of the exact cause of disease proliferation. The majority of people believed that touching or sharing utensils can be a source of TB. This perception affected the participants’ responses about seeking diagnosis and treatment. However, it is a good sign that most people knew that TB is a curable disease that can be prevented to some extent if immunization with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is done at the correct stage. So, a large section of the population had their children vaccinated. In addition, they would go for diagnosis if they had symptoms suggestive of the disease. Conclusion: Findings from this study are indicative of the fact that a large population is aware that health facilities can make a significant contribution to the treatment of tuberculosis. There is a need to further investigate how this information could potentially be used to enhance early seeking of appropriate services among TB patients.

Tuberculosis epidemic in India – a systematic review

“…11,57,58 In addition to gender differences in TB prevalence, mortality rates increased dramatically with age, being 17 times higher in children under 15 years and more than twice as common in adults 60 and older than in those between the ages of 15 and 59. 1,3,4,[10][11][12]20,28,38,41,43,46,59 Furthermore, the COVID-19 reaction-induced lockdown has resulted in poverty and economic hardship, worsening food shortages and making it more difficult to provide various TB services such as prevention, surveillance, and treatment to the vulnerable segment. 13,22,31,44,60 Children with TB had significant implications or problems during the COVID epidemic, such as requiring more mechanical breathing, being hospitalized for longer periods of time, and having poorer outcomes.…”

“…21,28,35,37,42 Moreover, misconceptions about TB transmission, such as the false beliefs regarding its spread through eating, sharing utensils, or touching patients, coupled with the social stigma faced more likely by women, contribute to social exclusion, avoidance, discrimination, rumors, verbal abuse, lost marriage prospects, and parental neglect. 12,25,62 Studies, highlighted that due to a lack of knowledge about TB, healthcare professionals either avoid dealing with TB patients or fear them, believing they will spread the disease, or lack trust and coordination with the government healthcare system. 5,62,67,72 In contrast, mental health problems are also a major concern usually present in TB patients due to rumors and misconceptions among them, healthcare professionals, and society.…”

“…5,62,67,72 In contrast, mental health problems are also a major concern usually present in TB patients due to rumors and misconceptions among them, healthcare professionals, and society. 5,12,62,67,72 Misconceptions about TB transmission, such as the false beliefs regarding its spread through eating, sharing utensils, or touching patients, coupled with the social stigma faced more likely by women, contribute to social exclusion, avoidance, discrimination, rumors, verbal abuse, lost marriage prospects, and parental neglect. 12,25,62…”

“…5,12,62,67,72 Misconceptions about TB transmission, such as the false beliefs regarding its spread through eating, sharing utensils, or touching patients, coupled with the social stigma faced more likely by women, contribute to social exclusion, avoidance, discrimination, rumors, verbal abuse, lost marriage prospects, and parental neglect. 12,25,62…”

“…7,9,10 In the same vein TB is commonly prevalent in 0-9-year-old children in India, consisting 0.11 million pediatric cases especially among those who have immunological weaknesses. [11][12][13][14][15] The COVID-19 pandemic, on the other hand, has occasionally hampered the access to essential healthcare services, resulting in an increase in the incidence of various community-borne diseases, mortality, and morbidity. 1,2 Fig.…”