Incidence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) and its contributing factors in slums of Bhopal city

Abstract

In India, burden of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) remains very high. Airborne
transmission is considered as the primary route of TB causing agent,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Poverty is usually recognized as an important risk
factor for tuberculosis (TB) disease. It is argued that TB control approach should
be targeted to the economically weak segments of populations living in poor
environmental conditions being most at risk, and should address the most
important stimulants of this dreaded disease distinctively involving low BMI
and indoor air pollution. A large proportion of population live in urban slums
which are typically overcrowded polluted and lack basic amenities. The
condition is noted to be worst in Bhopal city as in other cities of developing
India. Nearly one quarter of total population of Bhopal city reside in slums
belonging to economically weaker section. This study has been carried out with
the objective of finding out incidence of self reported PTB amid the
environmental risk factors that effectively stimulate this disease in selective
slum localities of Bhopal city. Present study demonstrated considerably high
incidence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in presence of potential
contributing factors in slums of Bhopal city. All the slum areas have got
deprived status of varying degrees creating poor environmental conditions of
living for dwellers being prone to infections and diseases.