Survey for tuberculosis in a tribal population in North Arcot District

Datta, M and Radhamani, M P and Sadanandam, K and Selvaraj, P and Satyanarayana Rao, D L and Nagabushana Rao, R S and Gopalan, B N and Prabhakar, R (2001) Survey for tuberculosis in a tribal population in North Arcot District. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 5 (3). pp. 240-249. ISSN Print: 1027-3719; Online: 1815-7920

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Abstract

SETTING: Tribal villages in the jungles of the Jawadhu hills, South India. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) infection and disease in a remote tribal population. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey with two-stage screening for identification of cases. A stratified probability proportional sample with the hamlet as the unit. METHODS: Among 56 revenue divisions with a population of about 66 000, 24 revenue divisions were selected. Among 26 320 persons registered, children �10 years were tuberculin tested and reactions were read after 72 hours. Those over 15 were X-rayed, and tuberculosis symptoms were investigated. Sputum was collected from those with abnormal X-ray or symptoms and examined for smear and culture positivity and sensitivity. RESULTS: Of the 6952 children tested and read, 5% had BCG scars and the prevalence of infection was 5%. The annual risk of infection was 1.1. Among adults, the prevalence of bacillary cases was 8/1000 and X-ray cases 29/1000. The prevalence of bacillary disease was higher among males, particularly with increasing age. Thirty symptomatic cases had normal X-rays and 63 X-ray cases had no symptoms. Thus prevalence would have been underestimated if either method had been used alone for screening. Isoniazid resistance was seen in 12% of patients, two of whom also had rifampicin resistance (2.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and pattern of tuberculosis in this tribal group is similar to that observed in non-tribal areas.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: tuberculosis; risk of infection; prevalence survey; tribal; stratified sampling; sample survey
Subjects: Tuberculosis > Epidemiological Research
Divisions: Epidemiology
Depositing User: Dr. Rathinasabapati R
Date Deposited: 07 Nov 2013 10:00
Last Modified: 10 Mar 2016 07:03
URI: http://eprints.nirt.res.in/id/eprint/550

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