A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR TB INFECTION AND DISEASE AMONG HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS OF TB PATIENTS IN RURAL DISTRICT IN SOUTH INDIA

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is one among the ten major causes of mortality worldwide. India has a greater burden of the disease accounting for 24% of global cases and 21% of global tuberculosis-related deaths. Tuberculosis affects the lungs and various other organs of the body. But pulmonary tuberculosis is the main form of TB, which is transmitted to other individuals in contact as it is airborne. Early diagnosis, proper and complete treatment, awareness, and minimizing contact transmission are the main factors which help in lowering the burden of the disease. Materials and Methods: This study was done on 94 tuberculosis index cases and 248 household contacts to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis disease among pediatric household contacts aged <18 years which was helped in establishing the importance of contact management of children exposed to TB infection Results: A total of 94 index cases and 248 responses were included in the analysis. Out of 248 residence responses, 11.29% were Suggestive of TB, and 46.77% were not tested for tuberculosis. Among the respondents found to be positive for tuberculosis infection (71.05%) were children under five years of age, (2.56%) were children in the age group of 6 to 15 years and (29.41%) were above 15 years of age. Conclusion:The study concludes that a higher number of children, particularly children under five years of age in contact with adult TB patients, developed the infection, which shows the importance of child contact identification, screening, and initiation of prophylaxis treatment. Child contact management helps in controlling pediatric TB to a great extent.