A study to assess the prevalence of Tuberculosis to review “TB free status” in Nashik district, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is a significant cause of ill health and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The prevalence of tuberculosis varies significantly across the country. Recent sub-national surveys have revealed wide geographical variation and discordance with corresponding annual notification rates. Present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of TB in 2022 to review the TB-free status of Nashik Districts. Methods: We conducted community-based crosssectional household survey between Jan 2021- March 2021. The district was divided into 15 survey units based on the number of TB units. We selected one village/ward from each survey unit using probability proportional to sampling. The estimated sample size was 30 bacteriologically positive TB patients using inverse sampling method. The prevalence of TB in 2020 was estimated by two methods- direct and indirect. Besides, proportionate decline, numbers needed to test and TB score were also estimated. Along with this, the prevalence was also estimated by drug consumption. Results:The TB prevalence was estimated as 60, 43 and 40 per 100,000 using direct estimate, indirect estimate, and drug consumption methods, respectively. There was a significant reduction in TB prevalence from the baseline year 2015 to more than 40 percent (62 %, 46%, and 64 % according to indirect estimate, direct estimate, and drug consumption, respectively). Conclusion: The study reported reduction of the prevalence of TB in Nashik district in 2020 as compared to 2015. Thus there is need of strategic execution of planned strategies to achieve the goal or TB elimination